No court hearings hurt Cebu lawyers, litigants

CEBU, Philippines - The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is set to issue within the week a resolution calling for the Supreme Court to expedite the scouting of temporary office of the court pending renovation or reconstruction of the Palace of Justice.

IBP Cebu City president, lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, said that they will furnish the Justices, SC Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, Mayor Michael Rama, Gov. Hilario Davide III and Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Soliver Peras copies of the said resolution.

Meanwhile, Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Cebu City Chapter told The FREEMAN that they will be issuing a resolution within a week calling the Supreme Court to expedite the scouting of temporary office of the court pending renovation or reconstruction of the Palace of Justice.

"We are worry of the situation of the court," Bathan said.

She added that they are not just worried of the detainers' rights but also the lawyers' income.

RTC Judge Mienrado Paredes also shared that the right to a speedy trial of the detainers is violated though it is not absolute as it is subject to circumstances such that of the situation of the courts where they cannot hold trial.

Paredes said that not only detainers are affected but also the lawyers and the parties who want for a speedy trial and resolution of cases.

RTC Branch 13 has scheduled promulgation this month of which Paredes said he will make it if necessary in a tent installed outside the building as temporary office.

Paredes said that judges cannot hold hearings in a tent until the SC could provide them courtrooms.

He said that though no hearings are conducted, other transactions in court are still going on.

"In a tent we received motions or urgent motions and we act on it. Those non-controversial issues that needs no trial, we resolved it," he added.

Judges and court employees were holding offices temporarily in a tent. The Office of the Building Official (OBO) in Cebu City condemned the Marcelo Fernan Hall of Justice located at Capitol Compound, Cebu City that it is not safe for the public or off limits to the public after the building was severely damage due to the strong earthquake that hit the Province of Cebu on October 15, 2013.

Peras has announced that no hearings shall be conducted until further notice.— (FREEMAN)