City Government of Valenzuela opens Php 81-million, fully integrated three-storey neo-classical inspired building as new home for its nine Regional Trial Courts, November 20, 2017. 

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the Honorable Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, Valenzuela City RTC Executive Judge, Hon. Maria Nena J. Santos, Vice Executive Judge, Honorable Emma C. Matammu, City Administrator, Atty. Alan Roullo Yap and City Mayor REX Gatchalian lead the inauguration of the newly constructed 3,009 square-meter structure which boasts with seven new courtrooms and other mandatory amenities of a modern hall of justice.

It will be one of the first ICTO-integrated halls of justice in the country.  Aside from being WiFi ready, it has a family court where CCTVs shall be employed in hearing sexual aggression cases and in documenting testimonies of victims to avoid face-to-face confrontation with the suspect.  It is also one of the first to have a digitization room where court records shall be maintained electronically to better deliver justice and address the delay in the resolution of cases.

During the tour with the Chief Justice in the facility, Mayor REX Gatchalian pledged to support the implementation of e-Litigation system locally.  It is an electronic case management system that organizes cases digitally, from filing of complaints to resolution and enforcement.  The local government shall compliment the software of the judiciary with necessary hardware to uphold transparency in local court decisions.

The new Valenzuela Bulwagang Pangkatarungan Regional Trial Court Building shall become the landmark of fast and efficient judicial system in the city of Valenzuela, and shall serve as an inspiration for Valenzuelanos in striving to live lives that are just and fair to all, its marker says.

The local government has long been supporting the local judiciary, which Mayor REX said is still among the most trusted institutions in the country.  In 2010, the old city hall building was renovated into a better home for the local RTC and the Metropolitan trial Courts.  “Madalas natin marinig iyong mga salitang ‘Idedemanda kita’, ‘Magkita tayo sa korte’.  This is a sign that the people feel confident na meron silang matatakbuhan pag alam nilang naagrabyado sila. (We often hear words, such as, ‘I will sue you’, ‘See you in court’.  This is a sign that the people feel confident that they have refuge when they feel injustice.)”  The chief executive added.

CJ Sereno was lost for words and calls the structure ‘the most dignified’ of all halls of justice she has visited so far.  “I am confident that Valenzuela will not only be famous as the gateway to the north, it will also be known as the gateway to justice,” she added.

In 2016, the Supreme Court opened new RTC branches in the city, prompting the urgent need for new courtrooms and offices locally.  EJ Santos immediately went to the LGU for assistance to which the city mayor obliged at once.  The City spent PhP 64 million to augment with the PhP 17 million budget from the Supreme Court.  

After the inspection meeting with the Chief Justice, among the planned add-ons, which the LGU will provide in the future is the development of a mobile app for real time announcement of court schedules, as well, as a LED screen where judge’s decision will be flashed instantaneously.

The old Valenzuela City Hall of Justice shall be renovated and expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2018 to house the Metropolitan Trial Court branches, the Fiscal’s Office, the Parole and Probation Office, the Public Attorney’s Office and the Mediation Office.

The inauguration is part of Valenzuela City’s 394^th Foundation Day Anniversary celebration.