A REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) in San Juan has denied Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against former Public Works engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, who accused him of receiving kickbacks from alleged anomalous flood control projects.

In a resolution dated Oct. 30, 2025, Presiding Judge Caron Aicitel E. Lascano-Nethercott said the TRO would “no longer serve its purpose” since the statements had already circulated widely through media outlets and social media.

The court said that the acts sought to be restrained had already taken place as the remarks were made during public, televised legislative hearings.

The court also found no “extreme urgency” to justify immediate relief, citing that the hearings were delayed at Mr. Estrada’s request. However, it clarified that the decision does not prevent Mr. Hernandez from testifying before Congress, emphasizing the court’s “constitutional respect” for inquiries in aid of legislation.

Ms. Lascano-Nethercott reminded both parties that any further public comments about the case outside official proceedings fall under the court’s rule, warning that statements intended to influence or prejudge the issue are prohibited.

A hearing for Mr. Estrada’s pending plea for a writ of preliminary injunction is set for Nov. 12.

Mr. Estrada said he fully respects the court’s directive and will abide by the order, affirming his faith in the rule of law and the integrity of the judiciary. “The proper forum for the vindication of rights is the courtroom, not the media,” his office said in a statement.

It added that Mr. Estrada will continue to pursue legal remedies against those who allegedly violated his rights or spread falsehoods about him, expressing confidence that “the truth will prevail through due process and impartial justice.” — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) on Monday underscored the need to strengthen the justice system’s response to cases involving children facing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination, as it opened its 2025 Justice Summit.

“This summit calls to expand access to justice covering not just courtrooms and barangays but also communities — even homes in our everyday lives,” DoJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez said at the opening ceremony in Pasay City.

The summit, which runs until Nov. 6, forms part of the department’s push to align justice reforms with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which seeks broader access to legal services for marginalized sectors.

Its first day coincided with National Children’s Month and focused on the state of child rights in the justice sector, particularly the need for more coordinated case management among law enforcement, social workers, and local institutions.

DoJ Acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said many children continue to face abuse and neglect without adequate legal support.

“Children are not just the future of our nation but the heart of it,” he said in a speech. “They deserve a justice system that protects their innocence and ensures their safety.”

He added that many cases remain unreported as victims are often afraid to speak up.

According to Normina “Jhie” E. Mojica of the Council for the Welfare of Children, children make up 36.5% or 39.7 million of the Philippines’ 109 million population.

About 23.4% of children live in poverty, ranking fourth among the highest poverty incidences in the country.

Ms. Mojica also cited data on online sexual abuse and exploitation, noting a 192% increase in child sex trafficking and online enticement cases globally to 546,000 in 2024 from 156,000 in 2023.

The Philippines recorded 1.7 million CyberTipline reports this year, down from 2.7 million in 2023, but reports of self-generated child sexual abuse materials surged by over 1,300%.

Child labor remains a concern, with children working in farms, plantations, mines, factories, streets, and private homes. The Department of Labor and Employment has identified hazardous sectors such as mining, construction, and deep-sea fishing as among the worst forms of child labor.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, in her message of support, said open government and open justice “are two sides of the same coin,” both grounded in transparency, accountability, and participation.

She said resource allocation for access-to-justice programs, women’s protection, and prison reform “is an investment not only in projects, but in people and in principles.”

“We must ensure that every reform we pursue, whether in policy, budgeting, or justice delivery, leads to tangible improvement in people’s lives,” she added.

In a brief interview, Ms. Pangandaman said she welcomed the DoJ’s focus on children and women, noting that it aligns with the government’s budget priorities.

“I’m happy to know that the DoJ is focusing on children and women, so we can help the public access government programs and projects for them — especially budget-wise,” she said.

The three-day event, themed “Advancing a Human Rights-Based Justice System,” gathers representatives from government agencies, nongovernment organizations, civil society, and the justice sector to improve coordination in protecting vulnerable groups. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking