Dispense justice equally, Chiz urges courts, justice execs

By Bobby Q. Labalan SORSOGON CITY --- Sen. Francis Escudero urged justice and judiciary officials to dispense justice equally to everyone and anyone who may ask and seek the protection of the law. Escudero made the remarks as he led the blessing and inauguration of the newly renovated Hall of Justice here Wednesday (March 8), together with Court Administration Midas Marquez and Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva. The senator reminded his audience, composed mostly of lawyers, judges, prosecutors, court employees, police and local officials of the famous statement of US Chief Justice Wendell Holmes which says that “the business of a law school is not only to teach law and to produce lawyers, but to teach law in a grand manner and to produce great lawyers.” Escudero stressed that the purpose of the prosecutors is not to ensure that the accused gets incarcerated and neither is it the main goal of public defenders to ensure that their clients are freed but to ensure that justice is done to whomsoever deserves it. Marquez lauded the efforts of Escudero in securing the funds for the renovation of the building which had deteriorated since it was constructed in 1990 during the administration of then Pres. Cory Aquino. The SC official said the improvements done on the building would greatly help in the efficient and effective dispensation of justice. Marquez urged the court officials to remain independent in their dispensation of justice but to work inter-dependently with the two other co-equal branches of the government- the legislative and the executive. He assured the judiciary officials that his office would provide the necessary equipment like tables, chairs and computers which are greatly lacking in the various courts housed in the building. Escudero sought funding for the building’s immediate repair after visiting it and saw for himself its sad state. Aside from renovating the original building, an annex building was added which now houses the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, effectively decongesting the main hall. Executive Judge Rofebar Gerona said the renovation had restored the dignity of the courts which, for so long, had endured the sorry state of the building. Aside from housing the regional trial courts, the “Bulwagan” also houses the city prosecutor’s office, the Parole and Probation Office, the mediation office, Public Attorney’s Office, clerks of court office and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines office. (Mediaworks Communication)