FOUR days before she retires on Oct. 8, Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro yesterday led the launch of the Cebu City Justice Zone at the Qimonda IT Park.
“I hope that the Cebu City Justice Zone would come up with its unique activities that are tailor-fit for the needs of its locality,” De Castro said.
The Justice Zone is a permanent meeting, advisory and decision-making policy that involves the most senior justice officials in a local area.
It aims to identify causes and solutions to address case backlogs and improve case and witness management.
Among the stakeholders involved are the trial courts, prosecution service, public attorneys, law enforcement agencies, city and provincial jails and the barangay justice system.
In her speech during the rolling out of the program, De Castro said the justice zone in Cebu City will help promote communication, coordination and cooperation between the justice sectors.
The justice zone is part of the Philippine Development Plan for years 2017 to 2022 in a bid to speed up the administration of justice. The justice zone’s pilot project in Quezon City was a success, said De Castro.
The outgoing chief justice said she has been involved in the judicial reform projects since her appointment.
“Every day that I was given the task of performing as chief justice, I have tried to accomplish something that I have promised and planned,” said De Castro.
Apart from members of the Judiciary, also present during the justice zone’s launching were officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Cebu City officials.
De Castro thanked Cebu City for donating to the judiciary about 1.5 hectares of the lot at the South Road Properties.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed de Castro to lead the Judiciary last Aug. 25, replacing Maria Lourdes Sereno who was removed from office last May 11 over a quo warranto petition.
De Castro, 69, is the shortest-serving Chief Justice since she serves the Judiciary for only 45 days. She is set to retire on Oct. 8 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
De Castro and Sereno traded barbs during the oral arguments on the quo warranto petition against the later dismissed chief justice. (GMD)