The Essence of Barangay Justice System
(Lupong Tagapamayapa)
By Mr. Cesar L. Villamaria, Executive Officer/t/Technical Asst.
The Barangay Justice System which is commonly known as the Lupong Tagapamayapa who mediates, conciliates and arbitrates with the disputing parties in accordance with the Local Government Unit (LGU) in relation to Barangay Governance.
It has been meticulously studied the structural form like the flow of complaints filed with the Barangay Office, in which case it has been tailored a system by which the complainant particularly those individuals who belong to the below poverty level in the community who could hardly sustain the messy style of filing complaints with the Barangay.
The Barangay San Vicente Justice System through the Lupong Tagapamayapa in consonance with the Pangkat Tagapagkasundo under the Katarungang Pambarangay has made some innovations to cater the exemplary style of filing of complaints with the Katarungang Pambarangay. This is done by way of initial confrontation with the aggrieve party and the complainant, if not settled, the same shall be elevated to the Punong Barangay for proper mediation..
To achieve our goal in terms of proper implementation of the system in easing out the volume of cases filed individually of some complaints. We adapted the scientific way of mediation, reconciliation & arbitration, in which case it has been proven to be that successful in terms of cases filed with the Katarungang Pambarangay. We ensure with the reading public or constituents who have complaints to settle amicably without resulting to unnecessary problem on the case that might arise.
In accordance to Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the Barangay Justice System or the Katarungan Pambarangay as it is also commonly called, has been created and duly organized or constituted to compel confrontation of disputing parties. It is justice administered at the Barangay level for purposes of settling disputes among families and Barangay members without judicial recourse. It establishes a system of amicably settling disputes at Barangay level for the accomplishment of the following objectives:
1. To perpetuate and officially recognize the time honored tradition of amicably settling disputes in the Barangay level;
2. To promote the speedy administration of justice;
3. To implement the Constitutional mandate to preserve and develop Filipino culture and to strengthen the family as the basic social institution;
4. To relieve the Courts of docket congestion caused by the indiscriminate filing of cases; and
5. To enhance the quality of justice dispensed by the Courts.
Other significant features of this law is its jurisdiction over cases and/or criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year of a fine not exceeding P5,000.00, among others.