A DIGITAL payment system for court and other legal fees will be pilot-tested by the Supreme Court (SC) in 20 first-level courts nationwide with Aboitiz-led UNIONBANK of the Philippines, Inc. as partner financial institution.
In a circular signed by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, the High Court directed the pilot sites to post instructions on the cashless payment system on their respective court bulletins using English and the local language in their area.
The Supreme Court entered into an agreement last year with Unionbank to develop an electronic payment system for the judiciary. It was launched last year, initially covering small claims cases.
The e-payment system will be open to account holders of any bank.
“It (ePayment) is aimed at streamlining the processes of assessment and payment of court fees, increasing accessibility of the public to judicial services, increasing transparency and accountability, and providing the Supreme Court with efficient accounting and auditing mechanisms,” it said.
The Supreme Court has fast-tracked the adoption of digital systems during the coronavirus pandemic, including online filings and hearings as well as the Bar Examinations.
In another bulletin on Thursday, Associate Justice Alfredo S. Caguioa announced that the 2022 Bar exams will return to a four-day schedule. It was done over two days last year.
“The Court, in a move towards some level of normalcy, has decided that the 2022 Bar Examinations will revert to being taken on four non-consecutive days, but within a two-week period of the month to be announced in a separate bar bulletin,” he said.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo last week said the high court plans on digitalizing future exams to take full advantage of technological advancements.
Meanwhile, the High Court on Wednesday released new rules on expediting criminal and civil actions before first-level courts, which amended the 1991 Revised Rule on Summary Procedure and 2016 Revised Rules on Small Claims Cases.
“The new Rules recalibrates, reconciles, and harmonizes the coverage of the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure and Small Claims cases following the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 11576, which expanded the jurisdictional amount cognizable by the first level courts to ₱2,000,000.00 for civil actions monetary claims,” the court said in a statement posted on its website. — John Victor D. Ordoñez