26-0-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines continues to struggle with the rule of law, as it slipped in the latest index of the World Justice Project, placing it among the weakest in East Asia and the Pacific. With a score of 0.46, the country ranked 100th out of 142 nations in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2023.
Within the East Asia and Pacific region, Manila secured the 13th position out of 15 countries. Other nations with low scores in the region were Myanmar and Cambodia.
The WJP Rule of Law Index assesses countries on a scale from zero to one, with one indicating the strongest adherence to the rule of law. The Philippines received a score of 0.47 in constraints on government powers, 0.43 in absence of corruption, 0.47 in open government, 0.40 in fundamental rights, 0.67 in order and security, 0.47 in regulatory enforcement, 0.45 in civil justice, and 0.31 in criminal justice.
However, the WJP noted an improvement in the Philippines’ civil justice score compared to previous assessments.
The organization highlighted that the index marked the sixth consecutive decline in the global rule of law. Approximately 59% of the surveyed countries experienced a decline in the rule of law.
William Neukom, co-founder and president of the WJP, expressed concern over the prevailing rule of law recession worldwide. He stated, “The world remains gripped by a rule of law recession characterized by executive overreach, curtailing of human rights, and justice systems that are failing to meet people’s needs. People around the world are paying the price.”
Globally, Denmark secured the top spot in the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany. On the other end of the spectrum, Venezuela ranked the lowest, preceded by Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
