For new courthouse: Capitol execs told to seek PNoy’s help

CEBU, Philippines -  Senate President Franklin Drilon has advised the provincial officials of Cebu to seek the help of President Benigno Aquino III in the building of a new Hall of Justice through inclusion of the amount for its construction in the national budget next year.

Drilon, who had a meeting with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale the other night, said he asked the two officials to make a request so that half of the P1 billion budgetary requirement to build a new courthouse will be included in the president’s 2015 budget.

“The five hundred million pesos is just an initial budget because the cost of the entire building is around one billion pesos. They have to make the request as soon as possible while the proposed budget for next year is still being crafted,” said Drilon.

Drilon, who was then the secretary of the Department of Justice when the Marcelo Fernan Hall of Justice was inaugurated few years ago, however, said that he has no idea yet as to where the new building will be constructed.

“What is important merong appropriation for a new building. As to where it will be located, there are no details yet,” Drilon said.

He said that the provincial officials told him that the Provincial Board will immediately pass a resolution urging the president for the inclusion of the P500 million in the 2015 national budget. Drilon said that the Capitol officials can also make another request that the remaining half will be included in the 2016 budget.

The existing courthouse has already been declared unsafe by the building officials because of the cracks it sustained following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in October last year.

The 30 branches of the Regional Trial Courts have already relocated to Qimonda IT Center at the North Reclamation Area. The other occupants of the building, except for the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office which opted to stay behind, have also rented their own office spaces.

The Capitol owns the lot where the Hall of Justice stands but the building is owned by the Supreme Court.  (FREEMAN)