The Supreme Court (SC) launched the third phase of its Performance Development Framework (PDF), which aims to improve court efficiency and reduce case backlog.

The PDF, developed by the SC’s Committee on First- and Second-Level Courts’ Performance Evaluation, evaluates four key areas: Internal Processes, Decision-Making Quality, Stakeholder Satisfaction, and Internal Stakeholder Engagement. 

According to the SC, the PDF is designed to help courts assess their performance, set standards, and adopt best practices through the “Playbook for High-Performance Courts.”

SC Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa and Antonio T. Kho, Jr., the chairperson and vice chairperson of the in-charge committee, respectively, led the third leg of the kick-off pilot implementation on April 10, 2025, at the Twin Lakes Hotel, Laurel, Batangas

Justice Caguioa emphasized that the framework is meant to establish best practices rather than compare court performances. 

“The goal is to create a blueprint for courts, a manual of best practices,” he said. 

Justice Kho added that balancing court processes with empathy and data is crucial, noting that “performance is not a burden but a mark of pride.”

This launch followed the March 21, 2025, kick-off event at the Quest Plus Conference Center in Pampanga, part of an ongoing SC effort in partnership with the Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (GOJUST). 

Six pilot courts were selected across three provinces for their high disposition and clearance rates: Branch 4, Metropolitan Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), Angeles City, and Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC), Masantol-Macabebe in Pampanga; Branch 1, Regional Trial Court (RTC), and Municipal Trial Court (MTC), both in San Juan, La Union; and Branch 18, RTC, and MTC, both in Tagaytay City, Cavite.

Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva explained during the March 21, 2025 kick-off event that the PDF helps courts track their performance and stay on course. 

“By tracking performance, the goal is to allow each court to know whether it is going in the right direction,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Atty. Marilou M. Anigan of the Court Management Office added that the framework “aims to inspire enhancement, if not perfection, of the judicial process.”

The pilot program is part of the SC’s broader effort to improve judicial performance and transparency. 

In line with this, GOJUST consultants have conducted workshops to assist courts with implementing the PDF, including monthly mentoring sessions.

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