The Handshake Over the Gavel: Re-imagining Access to Justice in the Philippines

A common impression among many of us is that our nation’s legal system is infamously slow and only benefits the wealthy. The notion that “justice delayed is justice denied” has sadly become common as a result of this reality. When a legal system is unable to provide prompt
resolutions, it undermines public confidence and upholds injustice. The State looked for a legislative solution after realizing how overcrowded Philippine courts are. Congress passed the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9285) on April 2, 2004, to address
this crisis.