Quake-damaged courthouses in Mindanao relocated

MANILA, Philippines – Halls of Justices (HOJ) have been damaged by the recent series of earthquakes in Mindanao, forcing some of these to relocate while work has been suspended in other quake-hit courthouses.

Supreme Court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD) through Deputy Court Administrator Leo Madrazo, submitted its initial report.

The initial report showed that the HOJ in Midsayap, North Cotabato suffered heavy damage due to the quake. According to Executive Judge Lily Laquindanum, the HOJ is no longer safe to employees and needed rehabilitation.

The information from Laquindanum is included in the OCAD’s initial report. Laquindanum said court staff members are currently vacating the building and transferring records, furniture, computers and other things to a newly leased building.

On the other hand, cracks were seen on the ceiling in one of the courtrooms in Kidapawan, North Cotabato. The HOJ in Kidapawan, Kabacan, and Makilala-Tulunan, all in North Cotabato, requested a building assessment and inspection.

Meanwhile, work has been suspended in Digos City in Davao del Sur. The courts’ officials and staff have been setting-up tents to hold temporary offices and resume hearing on Tuesday while waiting for the report of the engineer.

Work was also suspended in Davao City and Bansalan Davao del Sur Halls of Justices while building inspection is still being conducted.

Executive Judges from General Santos City, Alabel, Sarangani Province and Koronadal City in South Cotabato all said that there was no notable damage in their place of work but requested for inspection.

In Mabini, Davao del Norte, the Executive Judge reported that tiles on the second floor were damaged due to the shaking and weak installation while court employees and officials in Padada Davo del Sur under Municipal Trial Judge Zarah Aquisando transferred to ABC Building due to unsafe courthouse structure which sustained cracks.

The Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Loreto Agusan del Sur, meanwhile, transferred to the local government unit’s SB Building due to unsafe building structure.

“They will use SB building as temporary courthouse as the old courthouse cannot accommodate more than 50pax and it is dangerous if the floor would collapse and give way,” read the OCAD’s initial report.