Rome: The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) has recognized the Philippines' efforts to strengthen its national justice system and commitment to promoting the rule of law.
According to Philippines News Agency, IDLO Director-General Jan Beagle, during the 2nd meeting of the IDLO Standing Committee held in Rome on July 28, praised the Philippines' model of co-investment in the justice system with the launch of the National Forensics Institute (NFI). Initiated by Administrative Order 29 from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the NFI project, set to break ground in 2025, aims to train and produce more forensic medicine experts in the country.
Beagle highlighted the Philippines as a core supporter of IDLO, referring to its dedicated initiatives to enhance forensic capabilities and prosecutorial capacity as exemplary for national ownership and sustainable legal development, as stated by the Philippine Embassy in Italy on Thursday.
Philippine Ambassador Neal Imperial and Minister Donna Gatmaytan represented the nation at the meeting. In his remarks, Ambassador Imperial acknowledged IDLO's achievements in the second quarter of 2026, which included advancing the rule of law and achieving people-centered justice globally. He noted IDLO's role in expanding the Philippines' Justice Zone Network, marked by the launch of its 20th operational Justice Zone in San Fernando, La Union. This mechanism aims to streamline operations, reduce case backlogs, and improve service delivery by bringing together courts, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement, and local stakeholders.
"The Philippines values its partnership with IDLO in several key justice sector priorities, including strengthening national prosecutorial forensic capabilities, expanding the Justice Zone network, protecting vulnerable groups, countering online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and promoting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda," said Imperial. He also mentioned a recent high-level conference co-chaired by the Philippines and Italy on this agenda.
IDLO stands as the sole global intergovernmental organization dedicated exclusively to promoting the rule of law to foster peace and sustainable development. The Standing Committee comprises Member States elected by the Assembly of Parties to provide oversight on behalf of the latter between annual sessions. The Philippines is serving as a member of the Standing Committee for the 2025 to 2027 term.
