Just and Lasting Peace and the Rule of Law

To attain a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace within the bounds of our law.

 

President Aquino believes that in order to effectively promote good governance, reduce poverty and spur economic growth, national security, justice and peace must first be established.

With this, President Aquino has defined the pursuit of security, justice and peace as a priority area of his Social Contract. This entails the negotiated political settlement of armed conflicts alongside efforts to address the needs of the vulnerable; the protection of national security alongside the promotion of human rights; and the strengthening of the rule of law through judiciary and enforcement reform.

The 2012 National Budget provides ample funds to support the priority programs and projects that pursue just and lasting peace and the rule of law.

 

 

Peace and Development

The Aquino administration seeks to bring all armed conflict to a permanent and peaceful end, particularly through the negotiating table. To support the Government Peace Negotiating Panel with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other rebel groups, the National Budget provides P240.3 million for the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The other, equally important track is to implement targeted interventions to address the root cause and exacerbating factor of conflict: poverty.

 

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Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)

The Aquino Administration has developed the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program to strengthen government efforts in addressing the social development needs of conflict-vulnerable communities in the countryside. Through PAMANA, government seeks to improve the delivery of basic services, help establish transparent and responsive governance and empower communities.

 

 

PAMANA has a total budget of P1.76 billion, to be used by DILG (P958 million), DSWD (789.8 million) and DAR (P16.5 million) in implementing its component activities. OPAPP, which initiated the program, monitors the implementation of PAMANA and the use of the funds. The funding will benefit 2,214 local government units in 2012.

 

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Security and Order through Good Governance

The Aquino administration aims to reinvigorate the military and police institutions as a way of pursuing just and lasting peace. At the same time, it asserts that peace and security can only be won if good governance is enshrined in the military and police establishments, and that security forces operate within the bounds of the law and of human rights.

 

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National Security and Military Modernization

To protect the national territory and to ensure internal security, the Aquino administration intends to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and reinvigorate its men and women in uniform. For this, the 2012 Budget provides P5.0 billion for the AFP Modernization Program to update the equipment and capacities of the military.

The 2012 Budget strengthens territorial and internal defense. A total of P7.3 billion is provided to the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to fortify the security perimeter of the Malampaya Gas Project. To bolster internal security operations, the government is providing the Philippine Army with P28.1 billion in 2012.

 

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Crime Prevention and Police Modernization

Of this amount, P2 billion is allocated for the PNP Modernization Program in 2012. The allocation will not only cover the procurement of police equipment but will also strengthen the capacity of police forces through training.Likewise, the Aquino administration is enhancing the capacity of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for it to adequately enforce the law and to minimize crime. The 2012 Budget provides P57.7 billion for the PNP’s crime prevention and suppression activities.

 

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Strengthening the Rule of Law

To strengthen the rule of law, the Department of Justice and its attached agencies has been provided with a total budget of P9.48 billion in 2012, higher by 11.1 percent versus the 2011 allocation of P8.49 billion.

This increased funding will buttress DoJ’s efforts to fast-track the investigation and prosecution of priority cases, as well as to improve witness protection, corrections, immigration, land registration and other services. Of this total budget, P156.04 million is earmarked for the creation of new corrections positions and filling-up of investigation positions.

 

 

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National Justice Information System

To improve the management of information on cases, the DoJ has initiated the development of a National Justice Information System (NJIS) that will seamlessly integrate the databases of justice sector agencies and facilitate data sharing for the efficient delivery of justice. The 2012 Budget provides an initial P65 million for this undertaking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Witness Protection

Pending court cases can only be resolved if ample support and protection is provided to credible yet at-risk witnesses. With this, the Witness Protection Services of DoJ has been provided with a budget of P174.7 million for the evaluation of 700 witnesses and the provision of security and protection to admitted witnesses.

 

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Anti-Human Trafficking

To bolster anti-human trafficking activities, the 2012 Budget provides P50 million for the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Since the Aquino Administration sought to curb human trafficking, the Philippines has been upgraded from Tier Two Watchlist to Tier Two status of the Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) report of the US Department of State.

 

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Enforcing Fair Competition

President Aquino has designated the DoJ as Competition Authority tasked to pursue violators of fair competition laws and protect consumers from harmful business practices. The 2012 Budget provides P12.5 million for its Office for Competition.

 

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Reform for an Effective and Impartial Justice System

True to its commitment to ensuring effective and impartial justice to all, the Aquino Administration has once again increased the total budgetary allocation for the Judiciary by 9.8 percent to P15.71 billion, from P14.31 billion in 2011.

The total amount includes P1.99 billion for the filling up of 5,539 unfilled positions in the Judiciary. To promote transparency and accountability while recognizing the fiscal autonomy of the Judiciary, special provisions mandate the regular and automatic release of these funds, as well as require the submission of quarterly reports on their utilization to the Office of the President and to Congress.

 

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