Sereno appeals for funds to build new courthouses

CEBU, Philippines - Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has appealed to all members of Congress to allocate funds for the construction of a permanent Hall of Justice building in Cebu City.

Sereno was in Cebu yesterday for the blessing of the temporary courthouse at the Qimonda IT Center in the North Reclamation Area.

She said they need a budget for the construction of the judicial complex at the South Road Properties.

The Regional Trial Courts and the Municipal Trial Court in Cities were temporarily transferred to Qimonda IT Center after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013 rendered the Marcelo B. Fernan Hall of Justice at the Capitol Compound unsafe for occupancy.

Sereno, together with RTC Executive Judge Soliver Peras, MTCC Executive Judge Monalila Tecson, and members of the judiciary witnessed the blessing of the new courtrooms and offices of RTC and MTCC.

Sereno led the cutting of the ribbon. She was assisted by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.

It was March 2014 that judges and court personnel transferred to Qimonda IT Center.

“Nag-uusap pa kami ni Governor Hilario Davide…talking about how to approach the issue… ang question ngayon is if we gave that up bibigyan ba kami ng enough resources to build our permanent building. We hope na bigyan kami ng support ng national government,” Sereno said when asked of the SC’s plan on the abandoned Hall of Justice building.

Meanwhile, Sereno has announced that the high tribunal will be creating special teams to help decongest jail facilities in the country.

“We were creating special teams para sa decongestion program namin.  Yung mga courts na tataas ng docket bibigyan namin ng special teams to assist them. We’re doing everything we can kasi hindi naman dapat pinahihintay ng napakatagal ang taong bayan. You know when you have a problem, when you have a dilemma ayaw n’yo ng masyadong matagal,” she said.  (FREEMAN)