Guma Hustisia still closed for hearings, public

File photo of the House of Justice or Guma Hustisia Building in Susupe. It’s been over a year since the last hearings were conducted at the building and the public are not allowed to enter since it was closed on March 16, 2018 due to air-conditioning system and mold problems. (Ferdie de la Torre)

It’s over a year now since the Superior Court and the Supreme Court last conducted hearings at the House of Justice or the Guma Hustisia in Susupe and the public remains off limits from entering the building.

It was on March 16, 2018 when the Judiciary closed the Guma Hustisia Building due to main air-conditioning system and mold problems.

As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was still waiting response from the Judiciary about update on the progress on the work done to address air-conditioning and mold issues.

Saipan Tribune learned that the air-conditioning system at the Supreme Court was the only one that had been fixed so far.

Justices, however, are still not using their courtroom for hearings since there is still a big hole on the roof.

Super Typhoon Yutu’s devastation last Oct. 24 and 25 apparently caused the damage.

A court staff, who requested anonymity, said yesterday that the big hole on the roof is still not being fixed, causing water to fall in to the lobby every time it rains.

“Five months after Yutu and they are still using plastic tarps to cover the holes,” the staff said.

The trial and high courts are currently holding hearings at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe and at the U.S. District Court for the NMI in Garapan.

Shortly after the March 16, 2018 closure of the Guma Hustisia, the local courts used to hold hearings at the District Court, the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center, and at the Department of Public Safety Training Office, both located in Susupe.

With the current set up, court employees have to go back and forth between courthouses and Marianas Business Plaza every day on weekdays.

“It’s frustrating, but nobody wants to be fired so we just smile in front of the judges,” the staff said.

Jury trials and juvenile cases proceedings are currently being conducted in the District Court courtroom. This is so because the Marianas Business Plaza’s room is not set up for jury trials and juvenile cases need to be closed-door hearings.

The staff said there are concerns that files or court documents are getting misplaced or missing because of all the back and forth from the Guma Hustisia Building, Marianas Business Plaza, and District Court.

The staff also disclosed that their computer systems always breakdown.

Last June, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, in a public notice, assured that the Judiciary is making every effort to “continue court services in an efficient, professional, and courteous manner.”

Three transaction windows were then built on the side of the building’s main entrance.

Services of the Judiciary’s accounting service unit/cashier, Commonwealth Recorder’s Office, Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court, and Law Revision Commission have been administered at the front exterior of the Guma Hustisia, where three transaction windows were installed.

The public will be able to complete payments, process filings, obtain police clearances, and have access to other services at the walk-up transaction windows.

It was then reported that the Judiciary reportedly needs an estimated $7 million to replace the 22-year-old main air-conditioning system and for mold remediation.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres last year signed into law a bill that appropriates $15 million to several government programs and departments. Of the amount, $7 million was allocated to the Judiciary for the procurement of a new air-conditioning system and for mold remediation.

In April 2018, CNMI Judiciary director of courts Sonia A. Camacho stated that their goal is to reopen the House of Justice at the earliest time possible.

Camacho said the main air-conditioning system is over 22 years old and that for such equipment to last beyond its estimated useful life, with the unrelenting tropical elements, is testament that the Judiciary has taken extraordinary measures over the years.

Yutu’s devastation made the situation worse at the Judiciary Building, Saipan Tribune learned.