Justice Singh laid down SC push for transparency and accountability to biz leaders, NGOs

Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh shared the Judiciary’s intensified push for transparency and accountability, and the effort of the court to uphold and strengthen public trust in the courts through its Integrity Initiative.

This was shared by Singh in a keynote speech delivered during the 10th founding anniversary of the Justice Reform Initiative (JRI) on 21 November 2025, before business leaders, civil society advocates, and government officials, Justice Singh underscored the indispensable link between judicial integrity and economic development.

“The rule of law and economic development are two very distinct but

intertwined concepts. Indeed, the law is a means to stimulate growth, create jobs and opportunities, and fight poverty,” Justice Singh stated.

The SC’s Integrity Initiative, part of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), comprises several reform projects and activities aimed at fighting corruption within the Judiciary, and ensuring an ethical climate that supports institutional reputation.

In 2024, Justice Singh shared the SC penalized a total of 42 judges from the First and Second Level Courts, while 166 lawyers and 109 court officials and personnel have been administratively sanctioned.

The sweeping reforms under the SPJI includes the reorganization of the Judicial Integrity Board into the Judicial Integrity Office, which is aimed at streamlining the process in the handling of administrative cases against justices, judges, and court officials and personnel. She also shared that it is now easier for ordinary citizens to file complaints against erring judges and court personnel by sending an email to the Judiciary Public Assistance Section or JPAS.

Singh also announced the recent approval by the SC of two new ethics codes—the Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability and the Code of Conduct and Accountability for Court Officials and Personnel.

The new codes bring the ethics rules for judges and court personnel up to date with the times, with emphasis on integrity

as the overarching principle. A nationwide launch of the two codes, including a mass oath-taking of all justices, judges, and court personnel to be led by the Justices of the SC, which will be streamed online, is scheduled for January 2026.

Completing the three codes of conduct, Justice Singh recalled that the SC has previously adopted in 2023 the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which governs the conduct and dealings of lawyers who, as officers of the court, play a vital role in advancing judicial integrity by upholding honesty, fairness, and respect for legal processes.

The JRI was commended by Justice Singh for a decade of “meaningful, strategic, and provoking” work in advancing justice reform, economic rights, and the rule of law.

She then called on the organization and its members to continue its partnership with the SC to advance judicial integrity.

“Judicial integrity cannot be defended in silos. It requires partners in the business community and civil society who are prepared to stand with those among our ranks who have given their lives to honor the institution we belong to, the Constitution we swore to, and the country we owe allegiance to,” Justice Singh said.