Philippines Creates Blueprint to Support Initiatives and Strategies for Strengthening New Environmental Courts

On January 29, 2008, the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and other stakeholders discussed strategies to support and strengthen the Philippines's newly designated environmental courts. Chief Justice Puno reiterated his belief that "all efforts will be undertaken so that the newly designated environmental courts will be manned by 'green judges'-- skillful judges who not only master environmental laws, but also understand the philosophy of environmentalism and ecologism." In the coming months, PHILJA will review and improve the curriculum for the trainings of judges and plans to undertake the creation of a bench book that will detail various aspects of environmental adjudication, including a review of relevant court rules and procedures. AECEN provides technical assistance and funding support for this initiative.

Click here to read more about AECEN's Asian Justices Forum on the Environment.