PATIKUL, SULU - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Sulu residents, ensuring uninterrupted government services, and improving access to justice as he led the inauguration of the province’s new Hall of Justice on Tuesday.
Marcos said the facility is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen public institutions and bring essential services closer to communities, particularly those that have long faced difficulties accessing government assistance and judicial services.
“Nais kong tiyakin sa ating mga kababayan sa Sulu na hindi kayo pababayaan ng administrasyong ito,” the President said, assuring residents that the government would continue working to safeguard their welfare and support the province’s transition to the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
The inauguration of the new Sulu Hall of Justice in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, marks a significant development in the delivery of judicial services in the province, providing a dedicated facility for court operations and supporting efforts to make the justice system more accessible and efficient.
“As we come together here at the Sulu Hall of Justice, we reaffirm a fundamental principle: that justice must be accessible to every Filipino, that our institutions must uphold the rule of law, protect our people’s rights, and bring government closer to those that it serves,” Marcos said.
The President acknowledged that inadequate facilities have long presented challenges to judicial operations in Sulu, affecting the timely resolution of cases and placing additional burdens on litigants and their families.
He emphasized that justice extends beyond court proceedings, as timely and fair resolution of disputes can help protect livelihoods, ease the burden on families, and strengthen peace in communities.
“After all, peace means resolving conflicts through justice, treating every person with fairness, and respecting the rule of law,” he said.
The new facility is intended to support the Judiciary’s efforts to modernize court services and improve the handling of cases. Its significance, however, extends beyond the physical structure, as its long-term value will depend on how effectively it serves residents seeking legal remedies and the protection of their rights.
Government strengthens support for Sulu transition
Beyond judicial infrastructure, Marcos underscored the administration’s continuing efforts to ensure that the transition of Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to Region IX does not disrupt essential government services.
The President said the government is working to protect the employment and welfare of public servants affected by the administrative transition, particularly teachers who must continue delivering education services under the new regional setup.
He also cited ongoing coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the creation of additional plantilla positions to help address staffing requirements.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan din tayo sa DBM para sa paglikha ng karagdagang plantilya position upang matiyak na lahat ay makatawid at walang maiiwan,” Marcos said.
In the health sector, the administration is likewise working to maintain hospital operations and ensure the continued delivery of medical services to Sulu residents.
The President stressed that the transition must be managed in a way that protects government personnel, sustains public services, and prevents communities from being disadvantaged by changes in administrative arrangements.
“Patuloy tayong magtutulungan upang maging maayos ang transisyon, mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kawani, at higit sa lahat, masiguro na walang serbisyong mapuputol at walang mamamayang maiiwan,” he said.
These commitments are particularly significant for communities that rely on government institutions for education, health care, legal assistance, and other essential services.
Expanding access to justice
Marcos also cited ongoing government initiatives to improve access to legal services and modernize the justice system.
In July 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched its Katarungan office in Zamboanga City to bring legal assistance and other justice-related services closer to communities in the region.
As of August 2026, the nationwide Katarungan caravan had served more than 8,200 individuals, according to the President.
He also cited the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which served more than 52 million clients and handled over 1.8 million cases from July 2022 to March 2026, extending legal assistance to Filipinos who need it most.
The government is also advancing digital transformation in the justice sector through electronic court systems, a unified case management system, and other technology-enabled processes intended to improve the filing and handling of court documents, appeals, and judicial proceedings.
These initiatives complement the establishment of physical facilities such as the Sulu Hall of Justice by addressing both the availability of court infrastructure and the efficiency of judicial services.
A shared commitment to peace and development
The inauguration brought together officials from the Judiciary, national government agencies, Congress, and local government, reflecting the role of institutional cooperation in strengthening the delivery of public services.
Among those present were Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Sulu First District Representative Samier Tan, Kusug Tausug Party-list Representative Iyman Tan, Sulu Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II, Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan, and Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini, along with other local chief executives and government officials.
Marcos called for sustained cooperation among government institutions and communities, emphasizing that lasting progress requires a shared commitment to improving the lives of Filipinos.
“Rest assured that the executive remains steadfast in supporting the judiciary across all pillars of justice in the service of all Filipinos,” he said.
He likewise reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and security in Sulu while prioritizing the health, welfare, and future of its people.
For Sulu residents, the new Hall of Justice represents an investment in the institutions responsible for upholding their rights and resolving disputes under the law. Together with the government’s commitments to maintain essential services during the regional transition, the facility forms part of a broader effort to ensure that the province’s administrative changes translate into continued public service and better access to government assistance.
“Together, let us shape a bagong Pilipinas where the judiciary stands as a symbol of our shared commitment to peace, justice, and the rule of law,” Marcos said. (PIA9)
