P1.2 B allocated for SC transfer to Taguig

MANILA, Philippines – Some P1.2 billion has been earmarked in the proposed P3.002-trillion 2016 national budget for the transfer of the Supreme Court (SC) to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said yesterday.

“The Supreme Court deserves its own grounds and its own building. We understand the funding will be used to acquire the new land at The Fort,” Romulo said.

“The money for the construction of the new Supreme Court building is also already there. It is covered by a P3.29-billion multi-year obligational authority,” he added.

The House of Representatives approved on second reading last week the proposed budget, which includes a multi-year obligation authority to fund the transfer.

An obligational authority precedes budget spending by a government agency or department granted by Congress through appropriations.

“This means the funding requirements of the transfer from 2016 to 2019 is assured,” Romulo said.

He said the SC, which has more than 3,000 employees, holds offices in a building and lot owned by the University of the Philippines at the corner of Padre Faura Street and Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

The initial P122.7 million needed for the project management as well as the detailed architectural and engineering design of the new building is included in the 2016 budget, he said.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno said in July the high court hopes to move to Taguig by 2019.

Romulo said the judiciary is getting an aggregate new funding of P26.7 billion next year, or 22 percent more than its allocation this year.

He said the amount includes P2.3 billion to pay for the operations of lower courts, some of which have become dependent on local governments for facilities.