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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider New site for Iloilo Hall of Justice eyed

New site for Iloilo Hall of Justice eyed

Published Oct 23, 2025 05:03 pm
GOV. Arthur ‘Toto’ Defensor Jr. presents the new proposed site for the Hall of Justice in New Lucena town, Iloilo province. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
GOV. Arthur ‘Toto’ Defensor Jr. presents the new proposed site for the Hall of Justice in New Lucena town, Iloilo province. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY – Plans are afoot to look for a new site for the Iloilo Hall of Justice as its current building might be structurally unsafe following the recent earthquakes.
Court Administrator Maria Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta and Court Manager for Western Visayas Judge Jennie Ann Logronio have met Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. and discussed the proposed transfer.
Their meeting came after physical work and court transactions were halted at the building formally known as the Chief Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice after strong earthquakes jolted Cebu last Sept. 30 and Iloilo last Oct. 15.
The Hall of Justice that opened in 1992 currently stands in a property owned by the Iloilo provincial government in Iloilo City.
In 2012, courts temporarily moved to a defunct college campus after the Hall of Justice underwent a P50-million retrofitting following damages from an earthquake that year.
With the potential risk worsened by the recent earthquakes, Defensor offered another land owned by the provincial government.
But the property available is in New Lucena town, 20 kilometers away from Iloilo City.
Defensor said the eight-hectare property in Barangay Guinobatan was initially intended as a site for a new government center which was later moved to the neighboring town of Santa Barbara.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon has been instrumental in the current Hall of Justice building. It was during his time as Justice Secretary of Presidents Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos that new halls of justice were constructed.
An Ilonggo, Drilon was also instrumental in finding funds during the retrofitting of the Hall of Justice in 2012.
After the plans were publicly disclosed, Ilonggos said it was too far and suggested finding another one closer to the city for convenience.

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