This new  EUR 16.5 million (approximately Php 1 billion) assistance from the European Union aims to contribute to the Philippines’ socio-economic development by creating a more effective, inclusive, and accountable justice system as well as supporting the government’s work to make public procurement more transparent and efficient.

“This agreement is of great importance to us because we recognize that economic progress and the rule of law must go hand in hand,” DoF Secretary Recto said in his opening remarks at the ceremonial signing on 19 February 2025.

“And without progress, our people cannot reach their full economic potential, keeping them in the grip of poverty. Ultimately, a properly functioning justice system is key to achieving economic security and prosperity,” he added

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro reaffirmed the European Union’s continued support for the Philippines’ key development priorities, including governance reforms.

“We are very proud to be able to accompany the country’s work to foster transparency, accountability and efficiency of public spending, which, like the work on justice reform –and as acknowledged by the Philippine Development Plan- is fundamental to the Philippines’s social and economic development.”

The EU grant will fund the extension of the ongoing EU-GOJUST programme on justice reform. EU-GOJUST is supporting the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Justice Zone model. Justice Zones are areas where the local justice sector actors (i.e. police, public attorneys, and judges) collaborate to identify and address the system’s bottlenecks, and make coordinated efforts to tackle specific justice issues affecting their citizens. Launched in November 2024, the latest of such Justice Zones aims to combat online sexual abuse of children and adolescents in three cities in Northern Mindanao.

To improve access to justice for people living in vulnerable conditions, the new programme will also support civil society organisations and universities that provide legal aid, and team up with the DILG to strengthen the implementation of Katarungan Pambarangay, which is often the first entry point for individuals seeking justice.

To help combat corruption, the EU’s grant will also support the Department of Budget Management’s work on public procurement reform, including the implementation of civil society monitoring of procurement. 

Present during the ceremonial exchange of document for the said grant agreement were SC Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez; DOF Undersecretaries Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco and Joven Z. Balbosa; DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez; DILG Undersecretary Romeo P. Benitez; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Susana Maria L. Mendiola; and EU Head of Development Cooperation Marco Gemmer.