𝑶𝑨𝑫𝑹 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝟐𝟏𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑫𝑹 𝑨𝒄𝒕 with Launch of Tech Innovations

MANILA, Philippines —The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) led the recent commemoration of the 21st anniversary of Republic Act No. 9285, or the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of 2004, with a landmark celebration that highlighted the collective strides of both government and private sector stakeholders in advancing peaceful, accessible, and cost-effective dispute resolution in the Philippines.

The event also marked the launch of new digital tools and platforms poised to transform the country’s ADR landscape through innovation and technology.

Held on April 7, the event gathered key figures from the Department of Justice (DOJ), legal and academic institutions, ADR practitioners and law students for a day of reflection, collaboration, and forward-looking presentations.

In her speech, OADR Executive Director Atty. Margaret Raizza D. Andaman emphasized the significance of the occasion and the agency’s commitment to innovation. “We celebrated milestones and launched ADR Technology, ushering in a more connected and modern era for dispute resolution,” she said.

DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres delivered the keynote address on behalf of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, underscoring the importance of ADR in achieving accessible and meaningful justice. “Justice must not only be swift—it must also be accessible, meaningful, and empowering for all Filipinos,” said Andres, affirming the DOJ’s support for the agency’s initiatives. During the Executive Director’s report, Atty.

Andaman presented the agency’s accomplishments over the past two decades, including mainstreaming ADR practices, developing training programs, and forging strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders. She also introduced OADR’s vision for its next chapter, focusing on digital transformation and nationwide expansion.

Among the key developments unveiled was the launch of OADR’s redesigned website and its new Learning Management System (LMS), part of the agency’s first phase of digital transformation.

OADR Deputy Executive Director Krista Gem M. Santos said the upgraded platforms are designed to make ADR services and capacity-building tools more accessible to the public. The celebration also featured a series of presentations showcasing the role of emerging technologies in ADR.

Atty. Angela Ray T. Abala of the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) discussed the increasing use of AI-powered chatbots in providing 24/7 assistance and improving access to ADR services.

Atty. Joenar Pueblo of the Philippine Arbitration Center in the Visayas (PACV) introduced a new AI-based transcription tool for ADR hearings and meetings, which aims to streamline documentation and reduce human error.

Meanwhile, Dean Rodel A. Taton of the Philippine Institute for Dispute Resolution and Arbitration (PIDRA) unveiled a mobile application designed to allow users to file and track disputes via their smartphones.

An open forum moderated by OADR Director Zenith J. Europa engaged attendees in a discussion on the implications of AI and technology for the future of ADR in the Philippines.

The energy was high as participants explored the future of ADR and its potential to make justice even more accessible, efficient, and impactful for every Filipino—reflecting a shared enthusiasm for innovation and inclusivity among both public and private sector contributors. In the afternoon, OADR formalized partnerships with several institutions through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Among the signatories were the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the Legal Education Board (LEB), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The agreements are expected to strengthen ADR education and advocacy nationwide. Messages of support were delivered by officials from the Insurance Commission, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, the Parole and Probation Administration, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region III, who expressed commitment to OADR’s mission and initiatives.

Closing the program, OADR Director for Training, Accreditation, and Promotion Service Reinalyne Vidallon-Varias called on all stakeholders to embrace innovation and strengthen collaboration in advancing ADR in the Philippines as she underscored that, “The future of ADR starts now.” Now entering its third decade, OADR is poised to lead the transformation of dispute resolution in the country through innovation, inclusivity, and continued public service. #ChooseADR #OADRat21. (From the Office of the Alternative Dispute Resolution)