Corona brings ‘Justice on Wheels’ to Iloilo
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona launched in Iloilo City a mobile court system dubbed “Justice on Wheels” as a means to bring justice closer to the poor.
Justice Corona said that the Justice on Wheels can help an ordinary common man get efficient delivery and dispensation of justice, which is a thrust of the Aquino administration.
He said that “it is one of the undertakings of my predecessor, former Justice Secretary Renato Puno, entrusted me to take care of”.
He assured that “there will be many more such programs that the Supreme Court will be implementing for the benefit of our less fortunate citizens”.
Accordingly, the Mobile Court prioritizes the hearing of cases of those who have been in detention for more than the maximum penalty for their particular cases.
For his part, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor said that the event was historic in the sense that a tourist bus transformed into a Bus of Justice “is the first time that this kind of experience will happen here.”
“It is symbolic of our renewed hope for a faster delivery and dispensation of Justice,” Defensor said.
Judge Marciana Deguma, presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Iloilo City said in a PIA interview that the Justice on Wheels will help address problems like delays and clogged cases filed in the court.
Right after the inauguration of the Justice on Wheels, the hearing of cases started inside the “Bus” which has two rooms apportioned for the Court Room and Mediation Room.
Justice Corona also graced the Medical, Dental and Legal Aid at the Iloilo City District Jail Dormitory in Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Ilolilo City; and the Information Dissemination through Dialogue between the Barangay Officials of Iloilo City and the Chief Justice with other Court Officials.
Some 136 barangay officials and law students from the University of Iloilo and University of San Agustin participated in this event.
The topics discussed include: Barangay protection Order Under RA 9262 and Diversionunder the Juvenile Justice Act by Retired Family Court Judge Rosalina Pison; Environmental Law, and Land Registration Law by Justice Oswaldo D. Agcaoili.
Justice Adolfo Azcuna delivered a message and assisted Chief Justice Corona in the distribution of certificates.*PIA
