To be able to dispense justice appropriately, a judge does not only have to distinguish and appreciate the evidence, but more importantly be of sound mind and character. To achieve this, these magistrates undergo stiff training not only in school but through experience in the exercise of law as well. It is known that judges are able to sit on the bench after a prescribed number of years of practice.
There is also a common notion that to do your job properly, you must work in conducive surroundings. Work therapists even encourage enhancing the ambience of the workplace to enhance productivity. Most court rooms however here in Legazpi city cannot deliver these perks.
A quick view to the regional trial courts would surely give any visitor the impression that they are places that no arbitrator of justice would set their feet on. At first glance, the mentioned court rooms are not really what they seem. They look more like neglected stock rooms with its contents now more valuable to the rats than to those who seek legal remedies. The tone of the area and its occupants seem very gloomy and heartbreaking.
At one of these pitiful areas, the judge holds court hearings in a tight corner. Huddled around him are individuals undistinguishable whether they are prosecutors or private counsels. They more resemble an office section in a meeting than a formal court hearing. Participants and onlookers alike should have to find a suitable chair or settle for a pile of unused papers that abound the place. Even the court records and files are a sight for sore eyes.
Amidst this unfortunate state of things, it is surprising to note that most of the judges still manage to perform properly. They still are able to deliver to the public what is expected of them, the fast and fitting dispensation of justice. Sources in the local office of the Department of Justice say that they have an above average batting standard, a feat commendable under these circumstances. The question however is, how long can these magistrates hold on? Even the toughest rope can break, so they say.
After the destruction of the RTC’s Hall of Justice at the regional center in the calamity of 2006, the department had no option but to rent several private buildings to house these courts including those of the Prosecution Service. It has been more than three years since Typhoon Reming but there still seems to be an ongoing storm within the DOJ. At present there is still no official confirmation that repairs for the destroyed hall would be underway.
Other sources in the national office of the department say the reconstruction is not on the top of the list. The same sources say that the perceived rift of the judiciary and the executive may also be blamed for the back log. There is another report that tends to be more believable: the priority of the department is the de-clogging of neck-deep court cases through the immediate hearings particularly of highly publicized cases like the Maguindanao massacre for instance. The quicker they relieve the courts of these pressures, the faster other priorities would be put into motion.
If this is true, then the Bicol RTC may yet have to wait for another couple of years or more before a decent place of work for our judges is realized. Meanwhile, they have to summon enough guts and grit including patience to be able to continue their dispensation of justice where it is needed... when it is needed. //
(Photo courtesy of : http://www.stopbretschundler.com)
