CITY OF SAN FERNANDO- Supreme Court Associate Judge Mariano del Castillo spearheaded the launching of the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) program that provides court hearings and mediations inside the bus.
Del Castillo who is also the chairman of the Committee on EJOW of the Supreme Court said the program targets the fast dispensation of justice through mobile court hearings.
“Through EJOW, the Supreme Court provides buses designed to be conducive for court hearings and mediation. Mobile courts will be able bring faster and fair administration of justice,” he said.
For the launching of EJOW in the province, seven regional trial courts and eight municipal trial courts participated to carry out hearing for some detainees. These are RTC Branch 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and MTC Branch 1, MTC Branc 2, MTC Floridablanca, MTC Lubao, MTC Sta. Rita, MTC Sasmuan, MCTC Apalit- San Simon, MCTC Macabebe-Masantol.
Deputy Court Administrator Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino said EJOW helps expedite resolution of cases especially of the detainees in the provincial, district and local jails.
“Since 2004 the Justice on Wheels has resolved thousand of cases. This program helps to decongest courts and detention facilities, and also carry-out justice faster,” Delorino stated.
A 12-year detainee of the provincial jail who refused to be named expressed gratitude for his case was among the 25 cases heard during the launching of EJOW.
“After 12 years of being detained, I am a free man now. My case was asleep for many years. Thanks God, my case ended and justice was executed through this mobile court,” he joyfully uttered.
Atty. Gerome Tubig, president of the provincial association of the barangay captains represented the provincial government in the launching.
Tubig said the province under the leadership of Gov. Lilia Pineda is giving all its support and encouragement to this endeavor of the Supreme Court.
“May the launching of EJOW bears fruition towards the attainment of everybody’s dream to have a speedy and fair administration of justice for all and may the reform being instituted strengthen our legal institutions, giving our people a new sense of optimism and hope,” Tubig stated.
Apart from mobile court hearings, the committee of EJOW also conducted orientation to barangay captains, jail visitation, and medical, dental and legal aid.
BY JENNA LUMBANG
