The Supreme Court (SC) Oversight Committee on the General Maintenance of the Philippine Halls of Justice has conducted an ocular inspection of the trial courts in Cebu and the Court of Appeals–Visayas Station following the recent earthquake that struck the province.
The inspection was led by SC Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, chairperson of the Oversight Committee, together with the Office of the Regional Court Manager (ORCM) for the Seventh Judicial Region, on 8 October 2025.
Justice Hernando inspected the first- and second-level courts of Cebu City housed in the Qimonda IT Center. Afterward, he held a dialogue with judges from Cebu City and other affected areas including Bogo City, Bantayan-Sta. Fe-Madridejos, Medellin-Daanbantayan-San Remegio, Borbon-Tabogon, Argao, and Mandaue City to discuss the challenges brought about by the earthquake.
During the meeting, Justice Hernando updated the judges on the construction of the new Cebu Hall of Justice. He confirmed that the SC En Banc has already approved the conceptual design of the new complex, which will house the Court of Appeals–Visayas Station along with the first- and second-level trial courts. Procurement for consultancy services for the detailed architectural and engineering design is now ongoing, with construction expected to begin as early as 2026.
The Supreme Court assured the Cebu City judges and justices of its commitment to fast-track the construction of the new facility.
Justice Hernando also visited the Court of Appeals–Visayas Station in the afternoon and held a dialogue with its justices, where he highlighted the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI). He also reassured them that administrative concerns raised during the visit will be addressed by the Court and the ORCM.
Justice Hernando was accompanied by Regional Court Manager Judge Michelle Ann T. Villahermosa-Gacutno and members of the Oversight Committee Secretariat and the ORCM.
Meanwhile, on 9 October 2025, Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta, Assistant Court Administrator Lilian C. Barribal-Co, and Office on Halls of Justice Chief Atty. Raquel M. Ladrillano conducted a separate inspection and dialogue with Cebu City judges at the GMC Innovation Center.
Three properties are currently being assessed as temporary sites for the displaced courts: the Noah Project facility offered by the Cebu City Government, the Kepwealth Center along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, and the Il Corso Lifemalls at South Road Properties. Other potential locations are also being evaluated to ensure the swift relocation and resumption of court operations.
The visit forms part of the Oversight Committee’s mandate to monitor, assess, and document the infrastructure and general maintenance of Halls of Justice nationwide, in line with the SPJI’s goal of ensuring timely and fair justice.
The Committee has previously conducted inspections in Manila, Bacolod City, San Carlos City (Negros Occidental), Ilagan City (Isabela), Tuguegarao City (Cagayan), San Fernando City (La Union), Urdaneta City and Dagupan City (Pangasinan), Cabanatuan City (Nueva Ecija), Tarlac City (Tarlac), and Biñan and Cabuyao Cities (Laguna).