Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) assured all lower courts that administrative concerns, including minor repairs and supply needs, will be addressed by the Office of the Regional Court Manager. The assurance was made by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando during recent visits by the oversight committee over the general maintenance of Philippine trial courts and halls of justice in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac City, Tarlac.
According to Philippines News Agency, Hernando's visit is part of the oversight committee's mandate to monitor, assess, and document the infrastructure and general maintenance of the halls of justice in the country. This initiative aligns with the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 goal of ensuring timely and fair justice. The inspection included three sites of the first- and second-level courts of Cabanatuan City and its facilities, such as the San Juan ACCFA Hall of Justice, Family Court Branch 8, and Regional Trial Court Hall of Justice at the Old Capitol Compound.
During his visit, Hernando also engaged with Nueva Ecija judges to discuss the main challenges and concerns of their courts. Further inspections were conducted at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Victoria-Lapaz, Tarlac, as well as the first- and second-level courts at the Tarlac City Hall of Justice. Additionally, Hernando reviewed the construction site of the new Tarlac City Hall of Justice in Barangay San Isidro.
The committee has previously conducted ocular inspections at several Halls of Justice across the country, including those in Manila; Bacolod City and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Ilagan City, Isabela; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; San Fernando City, La Union; and Urdaneta City and Dagupan City, Pangasinan.