Court of Appeals justices use feng shui to reconstruct old building

MANILA, Philippines – Court of Appeals justices chose yesterday to start the reconstruction of the old CA building – gutted by fire in 2007 – upon the advice of feng shui experts.

CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony, held at exactly 10 a.m.

“It is a rare occasion to encounter a date like 10-10-10 or Oct. 10, 2010. We hope that it will bring good luck to the entire judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeals,” he told reporters.

Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, the chairman of the committee for the construction of the building, agrees that the date is an auspicious one.

While the two magistrates believe that a person makes his own destiny, they said several justices in the CA, Sandiganbayan and the Supreme Court believe in feng shui.

There were magistrates who tried to move the tables in their chambers to enjoy good luck, the associate justice said.

The building was destroyed by fire on July 26, 2007 due to faulty electrical wiring. The CA had a disagreement with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, who reportedly asked a large amount of money to plan the building alone.

The CA voided the contract with DPWH and entered a new one.