Justice in tents

The wheels of justice that ground to a halt after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake rendered the Palace of Justice unfit for occupancy has started to roll again, this time in tents pitched at the parking space of the Capitol compound.

Electric fans were brought in to provide adequate ventilation, while court documents and some computer units were also taken from the Palace of Justice to the outdoor courtrooms.

“This is not convenient at all. But there is nothing we can do under the present circumstances. We just have to continue hearing cases and dispense justice accordingly,” said Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Bienvenido Saniel of Branch 20.

Saniel started conducting hearings in tents two weeks ago after the Palace of Justice was deemed unsafe for occupancy.

Other judges also chose to resume hearings since they have not received any word yet from the Supreme Court (SC) as to where they would transfer while.

“Judges have a sense of duty to deliver justice. Cases have to move and lawyers need to practice their profession. Anyway, these tents can serve their purpose in the administration of justice,” Saniel said.

The judge admitted that they are concerned about their security when conducting hearings inside tents.

At least two security guards are assigned to maintain peace and order during the hearings. They are also mandated to watch over the belongings of court personnel and other equipment brought inside the tents.

RTC Judge Estela Alma Singco of Branch 12 yesterday convicted a man accused of stealing the belongings of a jeepney passenger last June 25, 2013.

The accused pleaded guilty on charges of simple theft and was ordered imprisoned for one year. He was also ordered to pay P150 to the complainant.

Jail officer Mike Libi of the Cebu City Jail said inmates are happy that the hearings have resumed.

“The number of inmates inside the jail have increased since the court stopped conducting hearings. Some were already complaining. At least now, some judges decided to conduct hearings. It’s okay if proceedings are done in tents as long as cases move further,” Libi said.

When there are no scheduled proceedings, Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Monalilia Tecson of Branch 1 allowed other judges to conduct hearings inside her makeshift courtroom.

She said they just have to prioritize detention prisoners.

“Detained individuals have the right to speedy trial. If we won’t conduct hearings, we deprive them of their constitutional rights,” Tecson told CDN.

American national Richard Banon was among those who attended a hearing yesterday in relation to a civil case he filed.

Banon, 54, said he has no complaints about conducting hearings in tents.

“I think the proceedings of jutice are fair, open, and according to the laws of the Philippines. The judges are on top of everything,” he told CDN.

Banon, who chose to live in Cebu City since 2006, said he fully understand the situation and will just have to live by it.