The Philippines' Supreme Court received nearly P15 million from the government of the United States to support its ongoing judicial reform efforts.

In a statement, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson announced the launch of the new US government assistance project with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

"The rule of law is essential in ensuring equal access to justice for all, especially the most vulnerable," Carlson said to Gesmundo in her courtesy visit to the Supreme Court on 21 October.

"We must preserve democratic institutions and bring together like-minded countries because the rule of law is vital to democracy," she added.

Carlson stressed that the United States values its longstanding partnership with the Philippines and remains committed to supporting the Supreme Court as it pursues judicial reforms.

The US State Department's Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs awarded the grant to the US National Center for State Courts to facilitate the implementation of the Manila Justice Sector Reform Program in support of the Supreme Court's 2022-2027 Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations.

The NCSC is an American non-profit organization that provides technical assistance, training, and technology to enhance justice systems and services around the world.

Carlson officially announced the grant during her courtesy call on Gesmundo at the Supreme Court last week.

Associate Justices Ramon Paul Hernando, Henri Jean Paul Inting, Mario Lopez, Jhosep Lopez, Jose Midas Marquez and Antonio Kho, Jr. were also present.