CJ Sereno leads roadshow of judicial reforms in mall

ASIDE from a P1-billion judiciary complex to be built at the South Road Properties, the Supreme Court (SC) announced several other plans they created with the intention to decongest cases filed in the trial courts of Cebu.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was in Cebu yesterday for the Judicial Reform Roadshow held in Ayala Center Cebu.

The roadshow, according to Sereno, was organized by the High Court as one of their venues to reveal their plans and accomplishments to the people.

The SC cited the lack of trial courts in Cebu as one of the most pressing issues that attributed to the worsening congestion of cases in the province.

Sereno said that the SC had allocated P350 million to establish 12 more trial courts for the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu to address the issue.

She also announced their plans to create a Municipal Circuit Trial Court that will handle cases lodged in the courts at the northern towns of Compostela and Cordova.

Sereno said she chose to hold the roadshow in malls because it is a location where people frequent. This was the second time that the SC held the roadshow inside a mall.

“I chose to present in front of mall-goers to show them there is greater access to justice. I want people to judge (us) directly. … We keep talking in Manila, now it’s time for the SC to listen to Visayas and Mindanao,” she explained.

In addition to improvements in the infrastructure, the Chief Justice also revealed that the SC has designated additional 81 judges in Cebu.

Sereno also revealed their plans to digitize some data and processes for their project titled eCourts. Through eCourts, lawyers can file their pleadings online while their clients can check the status of their cases “with a single click on the website.”