The opposition to the retrofitting activities of the declared “unsafe for occupancy/use” Hall of Justice (HOJ) building heightens - with an engineer fearing another case of “Hyatt Hotel,” a movement seeking funds to build a new structure and lawyers ready to file charges against those who want to keep the public processes and documents secret.

In an interview over “Kapihan sa Bali” hosted by The News Today executive editor Manuel Mejorada, Structural Engineer Nilo Jardeleza feared another incident of “Hyatt Hotel” which was retrofitted and certified fit for an Intensity 7 earthquake but collapsed during the 1990 Intensity 7.7 quake which hit Baguio City, might also happen in the building.

Based on investigation, he said the structures of the building amplify an Intensity 5 or 6-earthquake into Intensity 7.

“Tama kabug-at sang atop, may ara roof deck nga may parapet wall, ang istruktura 3-storeys na sia, kadamu butingting sa babaw, sa kabug-at dugangan pa sa pag-uyog sang building,” he explained, comparing the HOJ to other buildings in the area which are of the same height and even situated near the river but did not suffer cracks the way the HOJ did during the February 2012 earthquake.

Atty. Boy Salmon, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter, cited Jardeleza’s and other structural engineers’ independent opinions why they are firm in their opposition to the retrofitting activities.

Salmon stressed the DPWH 6’s earlier recommendation following the February 2012 earthquake declaring the HOJ “unsafe for occupation” due to the defects and cracks the department probe body found. He also cited the earlier report of PertConsult International which stated that the building was poorly constructed and the materials used were allegedly not those specified in the project.

“Amo gani na kami sa IBP, judges, prosecutors, kag ang tanan ga-okupar sa HOJ may kusog nga indi pwede usaron tungod man sa ginhatag sa amon (nga findings) ng mga structural engineers parehos ni Engr Nilo Jardeleza, kag mga kaupod ya,” he said.

Salmon said their motivation to oppose the retrofitting is also driven by their desire to ensure their safety because they believe retrofitting the HOJ building is not enough and would put the lives of the judges, prosecutors, litigants and the public at risk.

Thus, he said, he is calling the senators and lawmakers in Iloilo to provide funds that would help construction of a new building materialize.

Meanwhile, Atty. Hanz Sayno, spokesperson, New Iloilo Hall of Justice Movement, reiterated that until now, they haven’t received the copies of the results of the two investigations, which they have requested, conducted by the PertConsult, which led the firm to recommend that retrofitting would solve the structural problems of the building.  

He lamented the sentiments he said are felt by most of the HOJ occupants, who want to be assured that their lives would not be put at greater risk once they are ordered to go back to the building they were earlier ordered to abandon immediately.

Some judges, he said, already retired or expressed their plan to retire earlier than planned, once the retrofitting pushes through.

He also questioned the fast-tracking of the project, which was already bid out and ready for implementation within this week or next week, saying they weren’t consulted or presented of the results of the structural probes.

Sayno said that while it is taking time for the DPWH to provide them with the structural probe results, the movement will not hesitate to file cases to make the responsible agencies comply with their requests to provide them with the public documents they are seeking.

“Halin sang una, nanutaran ko nga ginabalabagan ‘ina sang mga daku kag impluwensyado nga mga tawo nga ini na makutkutan ang isyu parte sa HOJ, kun ihatag nila, karon, mabal-an natun, kay kun may ara na sila, tan-awon natin ang plano sang una kag mabal-an natun nga abaw layo gid sa plano ang pag obra, or maski tagaan lang natun sila sang plano sa retrofitting, may mga tawo parehas nanday Engineer Jardeleza nga kun makita nila ang plano ng retrofitting pwede nila ma-move backwards ngaa amo na recommendation,” he said.

“Siguro we can take action, we will compel them by mandamus or kun ano man da na kaso ang mapasaka natun sa mga tawo nga responsable maghatag sa mga ginapangayo natun nga i-akusar kag piliton na ining mga bagay nga waay man ni sia pribado diri, indi na sia privilege communication para mahusgaran,” he concluded.

The HOJ building was funded by Senator Franklin Drilon during his term as Department of Justice secretary.*