SC taps Cebu City government assistance for project

CEBU, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) is asking for Cebu City government’s help in reaching reputable contractors for the P7 billion Court of Appeals (CA) and Palace of Justice project at the South Road Properties as procurement starts next month, Mayor Nestor Archival said.

This as the SC confirmed that procurement for the judicial complex at SRP will begin in October, with construction scheduled to break ground in the first quarter of 2027.

Archival announced the update after a September 23 meeting in Manila with SC and CA leaders, where Cebu City and Cebu Province pledged united support for the project.

“A productive step forward for Cebu City and the province…Today, we are happy to report that your Cebu City Government (executive & legislative) representatives held a productive meeting with the Supreme Court & Court of Appeals leadership to advance the construction of the Court of Appeals and Palace of Justice at the South Road Properties (SRP),” Archival said in a social media post.

The judiciary, according to Archival, asked Cebu City to help reach out to reputable contractors for the competitive bidding process, stressing transparency and quality.

“Supreme Court leaders also requested the Cebu City Government's assistance in reaching out to reputable, highly qualified contractors to participate in the competitive bidding process,” Archival said.

Together with the mayor in Manila were councilors Nice Archival, Winston Pepito, Jose Abellanosa, Alvin Arcilla, Harry Eran, Francis Esparis, Jaypee Labella, and Jun Alcover, along with Chief of Staff Kenneth Siasar and Department of General Services Overseer Atty. Winifredo Orcullo Jr.

Governor Pam Baricuatro conveyed the province’s full backing, highlighting the joint commitment of both city and provincial governments to modernize Cebu’s judicial infrastructure.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Associate Justices Jose Midas Marquez, Jhosep Lopez, and Antonio Kho Jr. represented the SC, while Justice Jose Lorenzo dela Rosa attended on behalf of the CA.

Officials said the project addresses a decade-long displacement of Cebu’s courts.

The 2013 Bohol earthquake rendered the Marcelo Fernan Palace of Justice unsafe, forcing trial courts to relocate to the Qimonda IT Center.

In 2025, another earthquake damaged Qimonda, again disrupting operations.

The CA Visayas Station has likewise lacked a permanent home.

The Regional Development Council (RDC)-7 has repeatedly urged the SC to fast-track construction of a disaster-resilient complex.

The Manila trip coincided with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) Summit held September 21–22, where the SC, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government discussed reforms to reduce case backlogs and strengthen “Justice Zones.”

Gesmundo emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to modernizing facilities nationwide, while CA officials highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to manage caseloads, with criminal cases comprising nearly three-fourths of trial court filings. – MRM (CEBU NEWS)