Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Gov. Lilia Pineda lead ribboncutting rites at the new RTC building with SC Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas- Bernabe and RTC Executive Judge Divina Luz P. Aquino-Simbulan.
Photo courtesy of Jun Jaso/PIO-Pampanga
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “An edifice befitting the nobility and integrity of the judiciary.” Thus said Gov. Lilia G. Pineda as she beheld the new Regional Trial Court building at the Capitol grounds here, even as she expressed the “pride and privilege of Pampanga” for its construction.
The provincial government allocated P43 million for the new two-storey RTC building that houses fully-furnished and air-conditioned eight courtrooms and 24 offices with 22 restrooms. It was constructed in a span of 20 months by the provincial engineering office in coordination with RTC Executive Judge Divina Luz P. Aquino-Simbulan.
In her brief remarks at the inauguration of the RTC building last week, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno thanked the Pineda administration for its dedicated support to the judicial system in putting up the edifice, as well as in its efforts to help in the speedy trial of cases, particularly of those detained at the Pampanga Provincial Jail.
“Pipilitin po natin silang makawala kung ayon sa batas ay dapat na silang makawala sa kulungan. Ang pagpapataw po ng sentencia ay hindi maliit na bagay lamang. Ito ay may kailangang environment na kailangang ibigay,” CJ Sereno said.
This, even as she gave the assurance “that our judiciary will remain fair and independent and we will be active partners of the people and the government in the administration of justice.” Right at the start of her first term, Pineda initiated the formation of a group of volunteer lawyers to review pending cases of those detained at the provincial jail, giving emphasis to minor ones towards the facilitation of their disposition.
Under Pineda too, the provincial jail underwent so thorough a make-over that its exterior now looks more of a hotel than a prison, and its interiors, particularly its dormitories easing the living conditions of the detainees.
Livelihood programs for the detainees and the families they left behind were also instituted by Pineda, as well as the provision of scholarships to their children who met certain qualification standards.
In her speech following the blessing of the RTC building officiated by Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto of San Fernando, the governor expressed high hopes that “the new edifice will help build on the strength of the good standing and record of the courts and pave the way for court personnel to discharge their responsibilities more efficiently and effectively thus making the wheels of justice move faster and further” as this “will redound to the greater benefit and uplift of our justice system.”
The governor also assured the RTC judges and personnel that the provincial government will remain supportive to their concerns and “provide the kind of environment essential to the delivery of a responsive justice system.”
Pineda likewise paid tribute to the High Court saying: “Indeed, our Supreme Court Justices and other Supreme Court Officials are the embodiment of judicial excellence and fairness, the vigilant protectors of the rights of the people and the faithful guardians of our Constitution.”
Remarks that drew a loud ovation and reflected in the glow on the faces of CJ Sereno and her party that included SC Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, Deputy Court Administrators Raul Villanueva, Jenny Lind Delorino and Thelma Bahia, former Associate Justice Roberto Abad, Chancellor Adolfo Azcuna, Atty. Marina Buzon, Assistant Court Administrator and SC Spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te, and Atty. Carolyn Mercado.
Pineda furthered her laudation of the SC justices “for their firm and fearless advocacy of the rule of law, their sense of cold impartiality and moral courage in rendering just and well-grounded decisions.” “Principled actions,” she said, “that reflect in many ways the achievements of judges and prosecutors in the province who inspire the faith and strengthen the confidence of the public in the country’s judicial system.”
For her part, Executive Judge Aquino-Simbulan noted the “pride of place” already attached to the new RTC building not only among the eight judges and 120 court employees but also all those covered by the justice system.
This, as she reiterated their commitment “to work with utmost integrity in the just and speedy disposition of cases.”
As well as the judges and the court employees who were one in praising the Pineda administration for the new RTC building, were the local lawyers. One veteran defense attorney, who requested for anonymity “lest (he) be accused of ingratiating himself in the good graces of the governor,” said the new RTC building “opened up a new era in the administration of justice not only in Pampanga but in the rest of the country.”
“An environment most conducive to reason, given the personal comfort and convenience, obtains now in the courtrooms,” he said, noting how the “old, crowded, oven- hot salas clouded the very thinking of court protagonists, impairing to a degree the rendering of the soundest judgment.”
For his part, Atty. Peter Paul Maglalang, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Pampanga Chapter, expressed the lawyers’ collective gratitude to Gov. Pineda for “finally, (having) a modern and presentable Hall of Justice for RTCs” which he hoped “will pave the way for the improvement of the administration of justice.”
Another lawyer, uncharacteristically frugal with words, merely pointed to the marker at the entrance of the new RTC building as reflective of his sentiments. It reads: “…(D)edicated to those who seek, dispense and believe in justice.”
