It was business as usual at the Hall of Justice and the Regional Trial Courts in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental on Wednesday amid reports of a “court holiday” in relation to the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Renato Corona.
Judge Cresenciano Tan, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30, however, said that while he had received a text message from the president of the Philippine Judges Association, Judge Franklin de Monteverde regarding the purported court holiday, there was no official advisory from the Court Administrator regarding this.
Another text message from the Assistant Court Administrator, Jennylind Aldecoa Dolorino, said that “you may wear black” while a call to the Public Information Office of the Supreme Court also said there was no official announcement regarding a court holiday, said Judge Tan.
Attorney Ann Bulado of the Clerk of Court said work continued without let-up at her office despite talks of a court holiday. She said she did not receive any text messages regarding the same.
According to Judge Tan, there was no suspension of work at the Hall of Justice where most RTCs and the provincial and city prosecutors’ offices are housed, and he believes that courts outside of this capital city of Dumaguete also did not go on a court holiday.
There were only at least two judges hearing cases at the Hall of Justice on Wednesday as majority of the RTC judges in Negros Oriental were in Cebu to attend a seminar, Judge Tan said.
Many court employees in the province work black in support of and as a “sign of respect” for SC Chief Justice Corona and the rule of law, Tan said.
The Chief Magistrate, who is now facing impeachment at the Senate, issued a statement at 2 p.m. Wednesday on live television and radio broadcast, answering point by point the charges raised against him and saying he will not step down from office.