According to my professor in Stat Con, there are lawyers who have never really gone inside the courtroom, either to argue for the defense or the prosecution. That is why he required us to attend one court session, and see for ourselves what goes on inside the courtroom. Lucky for us because Judge Pelagio Paguican of RTC Branch 12 is the first cousin of our classmate. So we were accommodated easily.
Yesterday was our scheduled courtroom visit. There are nine cases slated for the morning session. All are criminal cases. Some are for trial. Others are for arraignment.
When I knew that the cases we were about to witness were for trial, I for one expected to witness a cross-examination of witnesses because it is sometimes the most combative part of the trial process, and it's the part that is often portrayed in films and Pinoy Soap Opera. It's when we often hear the counsels' "Objection Your Honor!"
But I was not able to witness what I expected. Most of the cases up for trial were rescheduled because either the complainant or the witnesses did not show up. There was no courtroom drama.
Nevertheless I'm happy with the outcome of our visit because, at the very least, I understand now why P-noy want to appoint someone who can institute real reforms in the judiciary. Just look around the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Hall of Justice and notice the facilities and equipment there.
Whether the new Chief Justice is up for the challenge I don't know.
To tell you honestly, our Hall of Justice has improved over the years. One of the most recent renovations includes the new flooring and the improvement of our courtrooms. But sadly, it's obvious that it's still not enough and most courtroom, though aesthetically pleasing now, cannot really accommodate the number of persons attending the hearings.
ReplyDeleteCJ Sereno visited Davao's Hall of Justice last Friday. I sure do hope there would be more improvements in the coming months. If you've been to the MTC area, lots of sacks are stacked in the corridors outside the courtrooms. I hope CJ noticed that.
Glad to hear it. We haven't actually surveyed the entire building, but we suspect that we would see the same old typewriters, old volumes of SCRA, and other rubbish heap all placed in the corridor. I do hope too that reforms would be put in place so that our courtrooms will look like it should: courtrooms.
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