[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 22-2003, March 27, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 22-2003, March 27, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 22-2003, March 27, 2003 ]

CREATING A COMMITTEE ON GENDER RESPONSIVENESS IN THE JUDICIARY

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to promote the role of women in nation-building and ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men (Section 14, Article II, Constitution);

WHEREAS, in the attainment of this policy, Congress passed Republic Act No. 7192, otherwise known as the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, which mandates all government departments and agencies to review and revise all pertinent regulations, circulars, issuances, and procedures to remove gender bias and to ensure that women benefit equally and participate directly in development programs, projects, and processes;

WHEREAS, the General Appropriations Act of 1995 and of the succeeding years require all government departments, offices, bureaus, agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other government instrumentalities to formulate a Gender and Development (GAD) Plan, the cost of which shall be at least five percent (5%) of the agency's total budget appropriations;

WHEREAS, in light of the objectives of R.A. No. 7192 and the directive in that regard of the annual General Appropriations Acts, and as the Judiciary's effective response to the urgency to mainstream gender in the Judiciary, i.e., to integrate GAD principles in the Judiciary's policies, programs, and structures, particularly by undertaking, coordinating, and monitoring judicial activities that promote gender responsiveness, it is necessary that a comprehensive GAD Plan for the Judiciary be formulated;

WHEREAS, the formulation of such plan requires study and planning, and the creation of a committee for the purpose is the most expeditious procedure to adopt.

NOW, THEREFORE, a Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ) is hereby constituted, to be composed of the following:

Chairperson: Hon. Ma. Alicia A. Martinez

Associate Justice

Co- Chairperson: Hon. Adolfo S. Azcuna

Associate Justice

Members: Atty. Eden T. Candelaria Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer

Atty. Edna E. Dino Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Attorney

A representative from the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) to be designated by its Chancellor

Ms. Corazon M. Ordoñez Chief, Fiscal Management and Budget Office

Ms. Evelyn Toledo-Dumdum Program Director, Program Management Office (PMO)

The President of the Philippine Judges' Association

Secretary: To be designated by the Chairperson

The Committee shall prepare a comprehensive Gender and Development (GAD) Plan aimed at compliance by the Judiciary with the objective to mainstream gender in the Judiciary's policies, programs and structures, particularly by undertaking, coordinating, and monitoring judicial activities that promote gender responsiveness, which shall include a program of action.

The Committee shall also review the gender responsiveness of the Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR), in collaboration with the Program Management Office.

The Committee shall convene as soon as possible and submit its report and recommendation not later than 30 July 2003.

The provisions of Administrative Circular No. 13-99 on expense allowance of officers and members of committees shall apply to the officers, members, and secretary of the Committee herein created.

Issued this 27th day of March 2003.

(Sgd.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.

Chief Justice

(Sgd.)JOSUE N. BELLOSILLO

(Sgd.)REYNATO S. PUNO

Chairman, Second Division

Chairman, Third Division