COUNCILOR Teodulfo Lao Jr. on Monday, June 19, said he would author a resolution requesting Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to find more appropriate facilities for judicial courts, which temporarily occupying parts of Cagayan de Oro City Hall.
The Hall of Justice along Hayes street, this city, was gutted in January 2015 and since then majority of the courts have been holding case hearings using borrowed space at City Hall.
In his report during the City Council's regular session, Lao said there were times that councilors became inefficient in the delivery of basic services because they could not meet and talk with their constituents in their offices.
"We also have the mandate of the people, who put us in office to serve them the best way possible," Lao said.
"The same is true of crafting legislative measures for the city's development that needs thorough study and research conjoined with data, availability of books and computers shall be set and place in the office room," Lao added.
Lao, the City Council's assistant majority floor leader, described the situation around the City Hall compound at present as "fearsome and pitiful."
Fearsome, he said, because the increasing number of prisoners sitting at the hallway and stairway, who are waiting for their cases to be called with only a few guards is dangerous.
"Imagine the worst thing that may happen if these prisoners will run amok and take hostages," Lao asked.
The councilor also said the environment and suitability of holding of trials and case hearings in makeshift courtrooms is "pitiful."
"It is pitiful in the sense that the room, which the presiding judge must have conducting hearing to some cases, is seemingly narrow and restricted. The surrounding is humid because the air-conditioning system can't bear and cope up the desired coolness due to the many people attending the court proceedings," Lao said.
