Despite being considered as a rapidly growing country both economically and socially, the Philippines still needs to improve its justice system to definitively obtain its status of newly developed country. In fact, the criminal justice system is characterized by ineffective case management, lack of adequate numbers of prosecutors, overburdening of existing prosecutors, and a lack of professional training. This results in long delays and a low conviction rate of less than 25%. IDLO is working to enhance the capacity of prosecutors in the Philippines.

IDLO and the Philippines have a history of collaboration. The Philippines became a Member Party in 1989 and, as its first activity in country, IDLO conducted trainings between 1996 and 2001. Since then, IDLO has benefited from the support of Professor Alfredo Flores Tadiar and former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on its Board of Advisers, and the Philippines have been involved in IDLO activities since. The historic cooperation between IDLO and the Philippines leaves ample room for new developments to take place.