Chief Justice Corona opens 5 new RTCs in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 3, 2011) – Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato
Corona led the groundbreaking ceremony and signing of the Deed of
Usufruct Wednesday (March 2) for the two Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)
at the Capitol complex.

Three other RTCs will open each in Glan, Malungon, and Kiamba.

In November 30, 2010, the Supreme Court en banc issued a resolution
for the creation of the five additional RTC branches, implementing RA
10123, and create new positions and transfer existing positions to
conform with the approved staffing pattern of the Regional Trial
Courts.

“Finally, the wheels of justice continue to run fastest in Sarangani,”
Governor Migs Dominguez said.

Dominguez recalled steady complaints in the province for the
twice-a-year hearing of cases and the overcrowded provincial jail when
he took office in 2004.

Dominguez said the government is always ready to intervene and assist
and urged everyone to stop pointing fingers to the Supreme Court
“because we are all concerned”.

Corona arrived at the Capitol Wednesday morning with Court
Administrator Midas Marquez, Deputy Court Administrator Jesus Edwin
Villasor, Assistant Court Administrator Thelma Bahia, members of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines, judges and personnel.

Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao said provincial officials will put
their acts together in building the five new RTCs.
“We stand by our commitment to respond immediately to the call of
public duty,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao committed a P3-million initial fund for the project.

Pacquiao commended the implementation of the Justice Enhancement and
Empowerment Program (JEEP) in Sarangani.

A Small Claims Law Orientation Seminar and Validation Workshop
Dialogue were also held at the Capitol during the day.

Before his fight with Mosley in May, Pacquiao announced groundbreaking
for the other three branches will take place.

Mayors of the seven municipalities committed to donate land where the
RTCS will be built.

“We are bringing justice closer to the people,” Vice governor Steve
Chiongbian Solon said.

Solon said the provincial government has been building the mediation
skills of community leaders. “Justice is not a trickery only in favor
of the strong,” Solon said.

“This is a project borne out of union between the province and the
Supreme Court,” provincial legal officer Arnel Zapatos said.

“When justice was low if non-existent, the Supreme Court did not
hesitate to assist, turning the wheels of justice to the people’s
doorsteps,” Zapatos said.

Sarangani has the only locally operated Justice on Wheels (JOWS) in
the country. It has reduced the number of inmates at the provincial
jail by 64 percent from 600 inmates in 2008 to only 216 in 2010.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Finance, Budgeting,
Appropriations and Ways chaired by Board Member Eugene Alzate
sponsored Resolution No. 2011-7-002 creating a task group for the
implementation of RA 10123 and providing funds thereof.(Russtum G.
Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)