High-Level Meeting on Judicial Integrity in Manila

 

On 20-21 November 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) convened a High-Level Meeting on Judicial Integrity in Manila, Philippines, bringing together 21 Chief Justices, Deputy Chief Justices, and senior judicial leaders from across South and South-East Asia. On the margins of the dialogue, the Supreme Court of the Philippines hosted all guests at the Supreme Court for a protocol meeting. Through intensive roundtable dialogues guided by Chatham House principles, participants engaged in candid discussions on preserving and advancing judicial integrity in the region, addressing critical themes including judicial independence, trust and representation, emerging threats to the judiciary, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, and transparency in judicial administration. 

 

The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Manila Statement on Judicial Integrity—a landmark regional commitment articulating shared principles and actionable recommendations for strengthening judicial integrity, the rule of law, and promoting continued regional cooperation.

 

 

Manila Statement on Judicial Integrity

 

The participants were:

  • Hon. Assoc. Justice Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig, Supreme Court of the Philippines
  • Hon. Assoc. Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, Supreme Court of the Philippines
  • Hon. Assoc. Justice Bayani H. Jacinto, Supreme Court of the Philippines
  • Hon. Judge Maria Garcia A. Cadiz-Casaclaing, Regional Trial Court Pasig City, the Philippines
  • Hon. Judge Carlo D. Villarama, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, the Philippines
  • Hon. Judge Juris S. Dilinila-Callanta, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, the Philippines
  • Hon. Justice Ahmed Sohel, Justice, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
  • Hon. Justice Muhammed Faisal Kefli, Judicial Commissioner, Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam
  • Hon. Md Qamarul Affyian Abdul Rahman, Magistrate/Registrar, Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam
  • Hon. C.J. Devendra K. Upadhyaya, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi, New Delhi, India
  • Hon. Justice Amiruddin Mahmud Rahimi, Judge, Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia
  • Hon. C.J. Sutarjo, Chief Justice, Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia
  • Hon. Mrs. Davanh Oulaythone , Deputy Head of Division, The People's Supreme Court of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Hon. Dr. Sengsouvanh Chanthalounnavong, Judge, Head of Technical Management and Statistics Department, People’s Supreme Court of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Hon. Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Justice, Supreme Court of the Maldives
  • Hon. Mr. Mohamed Ahsan, Sr. Administrative Officer, Supreme Court of the Maldives
  • Hon. Mrs. Izmeera Shiham, Secretary General, Supreme Court of the Maldives
  • Hon. Justice Khosbayar Chagdaa, Presiding Justice, Criminal Case Chamber, Supreme Court of Mongolia
  • Hon. Judge Weerapatr Chairatt , Secretary of Taling Chan Criminal Court, Taling Chan Criminal Court, Thailand
  • Hon. Chaiyos Oranonsiri, President of the Intellectual Property and International Trade Case Division in the Supreme Court, acting Vice President of the Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Thailand
  • Hon. Napaskamol  Tantanawong, Judge of the Office of the President of the Supreme Court, Office of the Judiciary of Thailand