The Supreme Court is advancing its digital transformation through a five-year Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategic Plan designed to modernize case management, strengthen cybersecurity, and introduce blockchain-based systems to protect the authenticity and integrity of judicial documents.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the initiative forms part of the third year of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), which seeks to make court processes more efficient, transparent, and accessible through technological integration.

“The development of a secure digital platform using blockchain technology will be pursued by the Court,” Gesmundo said. “This will ensure the authenticity, integrity, and traceability of verifying court-issued documents.”

He said the Court’s new Case Records Management System (CRMS) will be integrated with the existing e-Court PH platform to allow centralized and real-time access to case files.

“All pleadings and supporting documents filed through the e-Court PH will be systematically stored and managed within the CRMS,” he added. “This seamless integration ensures centralized, secure, and efficient management of court records while providing stakeholders with convenient, real-time access to case-related documents through a single unified interface.”

The ICT Strategic Plan, developed by the Management Information Systems Office (MISO) in coordination with the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals, identifies key components such as technology architecture, financial planning, implementation timelines, and change management. It also outlines five ICT-driven products and services to strengthen the judiciary’s digital infrastructure.

The plan will enable the judiciary to streamline processes and operations through automation and resource optimization, leading to improved oversight, better visibility of IT resources, and more effective monitoring and decision-making.

Gesmundo said the initiative is supported by international partners, including the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the European Union, Australia, the United States, Spain, the Asian Development Bank, and various United Nations agencies.

He also announced that the Supreme Court is drafting an Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI in judicial operations.

“As we move forward with digitalizing court procedures, the Supreme Court is drafting an AI governance framework for ethical and effective integration of artificial intelligence in judicial operations and management,” he said. “This framework will be guided by the principles of reliability, transparency, accountability, fairness, and non-discrimination.”

Gesmundo emphasized that while technology plays a major role in modernizing the judiciary, the Court remains cautious about the risks associated with data privacy and institutional integrity.

“We cannot compromise confidentiality and data privacy, as we cannot abdicate our duty to safeguard and protect the integrity of the administration of justice to technology providers and experts,” he said.

The Supreme Court, he added, will implement a phased integration of transformative tools into court operations as it moves toward its vision of a technologically driven judiciary delivering real-time and responsive justice for all.