In an agreement signed with the Supreme Court, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. will provide BizDSL (digital subscriber line) Internet to 400 sites all over Metro Manila to connect judges and their respective courts to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban said this was spearheaded by the high court in order to take advantage of technology in improving the performance of the country's legal system.
'This addresses the need for Internet connectivity and the growing demand for access by the judges to the Court's E-Library and for the court clearance system,' Chief Justice Panganiban said.
This will also help in the facilitation and submission of reports to the Office of the Court of Appeals.
Broadband access is expected will enhance the functions of the Supreme Court, which has supervisory power over all trial courts, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals.
The Supreme Court also shares supervisory power with the Department of Interior and Local Government over the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Eric Alberto, PLDT corporate business group head, said PLDT is committed to help the Supreme Court in tapping technologies that will enhance their services and thereby benefit people who conduct business with the courts.
'The Supreme Court's E-Library is just one potentially powerful tool in improving productivity. It facilitates the exchange of information like never before. PLDT BizDSL will enhance that tool by providing high speed access to the E-Library as well as to the wealth of information over the Internet,' Alberto said.
Nerissa S. Ramos, PLDT corporate business solutions head, highlighted the importance of Internet access to enable government agencies to better serve millions of Filipinos.
'With the increasing demand for fast and efficient service from government by a continuously increasing number of Filipinos, technology plays a very important role. PLDT aims to deliver the advantages of technology not only to businesses but also to the government,' she said.