Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, together with the Justices of the Supreme Court, led the inauguration of the new San Juan City Hall of Justice (HOJ) on March 1, 2023.
Joining Chief Justice Gesmundo were Supreme Court Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr., and Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh; Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe; Assistant Court Administrator Lillian C. Barribal-Co; Assistant Court Administrator and Public Information Office Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka; and Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Jed Sherwin G. Uy.
Speaking before judges and court employees as well as officers from the local government of San Juan City led by Mayor Francisco Javier M. Zamora and Lone District Representative Atty. Ysabel Maria J. Zamora, Chief Justice Gesmundo described the San Juan City HOJ as “the first new modern Hall of Justice… Housing for the first time both first- and second-level courts, it still has provided ample space for a Regional Trial Court (RTC) Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) satellite office.”
The San Juan City HOJ houses the following courts: RTC Branches 68, 160, 162, and 264; Family Court Branch 14; and Metropolitan Trial Court Branches 57 and 58.
The offices of the Office of the City Prosecutor; Public Attorney’s Office; Social Worker’s Office; and the Philippine Mediation Center are also located in the San Juan City HOJ.
In addition, the San Juan City HOJ has made provisions for a child-holding area, playroom, and audio-visual room for live-link television for child witnesses, in compliance with Supreme Court Hall of Justice requirements.
“With spacious courtrooms, this building promises to offer solace and comfort to those seeking redress through our judicial system. And with the Office of the City Prosecutor, Public Attorney’s Office, Philippine Mediation Center, and the Social Worker’s Office occupying the premises too, it promises to deliver multi-service under one roof,” said the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also acknowleged the efforts of the judges and court employees, “I know that despite the limited resources and office space problem, and even as you, yourselves, struggled with the effects of the pandemic, all of you try never to fall short of our standard in rendering justice. And I know that you have been conscientious in this mission.”
“Just as your interests were critical considerations in the design of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations or the SPJI, so are you now important partners in its implementation. Without your active involvement and participation, the reforms we are pushing for will not last; without your help, they will not even take root,” the Chief Justice added.
Chief Justice Gesmundo concluded, “As the Court migrates its operations from manual to digital format to enhance workflow processes and increase virtual access to the courts, I urge you to adapt and invest more knowledge on technology and skills that will complement our innovations.”
Construction of the San Juan City HOJ began in 2015 and finished in February 2022. Divided into four phases, the funding was sourced from the budget allocation for the Department of Public Works and Highways for the first three phases, and from the budget allocation for the Supreme Court for the last phase. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
The new San Juan City Hall of Justice includes a family court which allows for live-link television for child witnesses. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
