Source: PDI
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines received poor mark in the World Justice Project that determines whether the countries it surveyed adhere to the rule of law.
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MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines received poor mark in the World Justice Project that determines whether the countries it surveyed adhere to the rule of law.
In a report called Rule of Law Index for 2010, the Philippines ranked seventh out of seven Southeast Asian countries surveyed in the areas of law and security (.57), fundamental rights (.50) and effective criminal justice (.53).
It was sixth, or second to the last, in the region in the areas of limited government power (.57), absence of corruption (.45), clear, publicized and stable laws (.43), regulatory enforcement (.52) and access to civil justice (.48).
The Philippines ranked fifth in only one category: open government (.38).
The report stated that “establishing the rule of law is fundamental to achieving communities of opportunity and equity-communities that offer sustainable economic development, accountable government and respect for fundamental rights.”
The report sets 10 dimensions of the rule of law including limited government powers, absence of corruption, clear and stable laws, order and security, fundamental rights, open government, regulatory enforcement, access to civil justice, effective criminal justice and informal justice.
In its “Regional Highlight,” the report observed that in East Asia and Pacific, “wealthier countries such as Japan, Australia, Singapore and South Korea score high in most dimensions. In contrast, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand generally rank significantly lower than the wealthier countries in the region.”
With regards to the world, the report noted that “the Philippines falls within the bottom half of the rankings, even when compared with similarly situated countries, particularly in the areas of stable laws, access to justice and corruption.”
Also, based on the survey it conducted among 1,000 respondents in Manila, Cebu and Davao, 87percent said that they have not experienced a burglary within the last three years. Out of the 13 percent that responded that they have in fact experienced burglary, 51 percent reported the crime to the police, while 49 percent did not.
On mechanisms to enforce a contract or to recover a debt, only 5 percent of the respondents went to court and expected the process to last one to three years, while 27 percent of the respondents resorted to direct renegotiation and 23 percent took no action.
It was sixth, or second to the last, in the region in the areas of limited government power (.57), absence of corruption (.45), clear, publicized and stable laws (.43), regulatory enforcement (.52) and access to civil justice (.48).
The Philippines ranked fifth in only one category: open government (.38).
The report stated that “establishing the rule of law is fundamental to achieving communities of opportunity and equity-communities that offer sustainable economic development, accountable government and respect for fundamental rights.”
The report sets 10 dimensions of the rule of law including limited government powers, absence of corruption, clear and stable laws, order and security, fundamental rights, open government, regulatory enforcement, access to civil justice, effective criminal justice and informal justice.
In its “Regional Highlight,” the report observed that in East Asia and Pacific, “wealthier countries such as Japan, Australia, Singapore and South Korea score high in most dimensions. In contrast, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand generally rank significantly lower than the wealthier countries in the region.”
With regards to the world, the report noted that “the Philippines falls within the bottom half of the rankings, even when compared with similarly situated countries, particularly in the areas of stable laws, access to justice and corruption.”
Also, based on the survey it conducted among 1,000 respondents in Manila, Cebu and Davao, 87percent said that they have not experienced a burglary within the last three years. Out of the 13 percent that responded that they have in fact experienced burglary, 51 percent reported the crime to the police, while 49 percent did not.
On mechanisms to enforce a contract or to recover a debt, only 5 percent of the respondents went to court and expected the process to last one to three years, while 27 percent of the respondents resorted to direct renegotiation and 23 percent took no action.
