Is Our Katarungang Pambarangay Still Relevant? Two Case Studies on Our Indigenous Filipino Justice System
The Katarungang Pambarangay may be considered as the poor man’s avenue for speedy justice, though there are limits to cases it can hear. Previous studies have established their value in unclogging the courts of cases which otherwise would have been brought to their attention. This can of course be translated in terms of savings for the government. In spite of that, society barely appreciates the existence of the Katarungang Pambarangay. Relevant studies on this subject are scant but it maybe of merit to raise the public’s interest and include this in the public administration discourse.
The research is composed of two (2) cases – one urban barangay and one rural barangay. The two barangays will be selected from among the winners/national finalists of the 2011 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards.
Specifically, the study would look into the:
relevance of the Katarungang Pambarangay in terms of the types of cases, results/performance, clarity of system, and profile of parties involved in the cases;
capacity building requirements of Lupon members in terms of questions on the KP system and technicalities, records system, profile and selection of Lupon members, and other capacity building needs they may have;
success factors versus aspects that may have led to failed reconciliation efforts;
legitimacy of the Katarungang Pambarangay in terms of the awareness and knowledge of the residents about KP as well as their trust and satisfaction levels, as applicable; and
difference in the nature of cases, profile of members and success factors in a rural versus urban barangay, if there are.
