For the first time in 124 yrs, SC justices visit Sulu

Five Supreme Court (SC) justices travelled to Sulu last Sept. 4 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hall of Justice (HOJ) which will be constructed in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul town.

- By REY G. PANALIGAN

The travel to Sulu of the justices, led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, was the first time since the SC was established 124 years ago on June 11, 1901.

With Chief Justice Gesmundo were Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Associate Justices Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Jose Midas P. Marquez.

Present during the groundbreaking ceremony were Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez; Sulu 1st District Rep. Samier A. Tan; Kusug Tausug Partylist Rep. Aiman Tan; Sulu Gov. Abdusakur A. Tan II; Vice-Governor Abdusakur M. Tan; National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Deputy Executive Director lawyer Jehan-Jehan A. Lepail; Sulu provincial board members; municipal mayors; and other local government officials.

The HOJ is a public building that centralizes various judicial and legal offices — trial courts, prosecutor's offices, public attorney's offices, and probation services, among other offices.