President Aquino Leads Groundbreaking Ceremony of New Supreme Court Complex in Taguig

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday led the groundbreaking of the future site of the new Supreme Court (SC) Complex in Taguig City.

The President was joined by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and the Supreme Court’s Associate Justices during the ceremony held at the 21,463-square meter property located at the former Philippine Army Security Group Area in Fort Bonifacio.

After the laying of the time capsule, Chief Justice Sereno presented the SC Marker to President Aquino, who placed it at the groundbreaking site to signal the start of the construction.

The groundbreaking was preceded by a ceremonial signing of the Contract to Sell between the SC En Banc Clerk of Court Felipa Anama, and the Bases and Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), represented by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Arnel Paciano Casanova.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Aquino, Chief Justice Sereno and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco, Jr., Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Martin Villarama, Jose Perez, Jose Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic Mario Leonen and Francis Jardeleza, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

President Aquino said the construction of the new Supreme Court Complex was made possible through proper planning and coordination with the Executive, Judiciary and Legislative bodies.

“Siyempre, naging posible ang lahat ng ito dahil sa maayos na pagpaplano at ugnayan ng Ehekutibo, Hudikatura, at Lehislatura. Talaga naman pong makabuluhan ang okasyong ito, dahil binubuksan nito ang bagong kabanata sa ating pag-uugnayan. At idagdag ko na rin na talagang tangan ninyo ang suporta ng Ehekutibo at Lehislatura; halimbawa nito ang inaasahang higit na pagdoble ng inyong budget mula sa P12.66 billion noong 2010 patungong P25.89 billion para sa 2016, na tiwala akong magagamit ninyo upang mas mapaglingkuran ang ating mga mamamayan,” President Aquino said in his speech.

“Patunay nga ang itatayong SC Complex na ito na basta’t may lehitimong pangangailangan, basta’t makabuluhan ang patutunguhan, isasagad natin ang ating kakayahan upang tugunan ito. Sa ganito pong paraan, mapapatibay natin ang ating mga institusyon, at magiging mas epektibo ang paglilingkod sa ating mga Boss, ang sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.

President Aquino also expressed confidence that Chief Justice Sereno would push for judicial reforms.

“Sa gabay naman ng itinalaga nating Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, kumpiyansa tayong isusulong niya nang husto ang reporma sa inyong sangay sa mahabang panahong maglilingkod siya.,, Nariyan, halimbawa, ang inyong ‘Hustisyeah’, ang automated hearings, at e-courts para pabilisin ang pangangasiwa sa mga kaso, pati na rin ang mga inisyatibang gaya ng e-subpoena sa ilalim ng ating Justice Zone, na sinimulan kasama ng ating Department of Interior and Local Government at Department of Justice,” the Chief Executive said.

“Simple lang naman ang inaasahan ng ating mga Boss mula sa ating mga lingkod-bayan: imbes na “just-tiis,” isulong natin ang totoong justice,” he further said.

President Aquino also stressed the importance of unity to ensure that the next generation will have a better future.

“Sa pagkakaisa, tiyak na maipapamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi ang isang Pilipinas na di-hamak na mas maganda kaysa sa ating dinatnan; isang bansa kung saan talagang namamayani ang hustisya at patas ang pagkakataon para sa bawat Pilipino; isang lipunan kung saan masasabi nating ang mga problemang ating kinakaharap ay di na kailangang danasin pa ng mga susunod sa atin,” he added.

The SC building is currently located along Padre Faura Street in Manila. PND (jm)