MANILA – Four years since she was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III to be the 24th Chief Justice (CJ), Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday denounced extra-judicial killings around the country.

"I am alarmed by the situation of impunity in our country, wherein court processes are not effected by law enforcement agencies, especially in arresting suspects in the killing of journalists," she said in her report on the state of the Judiciary for 2016.

In light of this, the Supreme Court will work with the Philippine National Police and other agencies to best ensure that justice is done.

"The Supreme Court will work with the new leadership of the Philippine National Police to ensure that all warrants of arrest are effected, especially against political warlords," she said.

The SC and Department of Justice will also ensure the quick issuance of necessary papers such as arrest warrants through the use of technology—an e-warrant system will be established to quickly issue hold departure orders and arrest warrants, she said.

They will also crack down on the "ineffective, delayed and corrupt execution of court judgments" and ensure that judges are secure, with the help of law enforcement agencies.

The Supreme Court will also make good use of its disciplinary powers to discourage corruption within the ranks of the country’s judges and lawyers.

"Our people must have a reason to trust government," she said.

Earlier during her speech, Sereno reiterated the Judiciary's role in helping rid the country of criminality, through due process of law.

While it cannot prevent the entry, manufacture, sale, or use of drugs, and can neither gather intelligence, nor enforce the law, the court can provide justice, she said.

"What it can provide is justice--to the State and the victims if there is enough evidence of guilt, and to the accused if there is none," Sereno said.

She also elaborated on internal reforms that the Supreme Court (SC) has been instituting.

"The SC understands that it can only be as credible as its own reforms can demonstrate."