Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin hands over to Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon the check amounting to P1,044,021,642.86 as full payment for the purchase of the 21,463 sq.m. property located at the former Philippine Army Security Escort Group Area in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, which will be the site of New SC Complex. Looking on are (from left) Megaworld Senior Vice President Kevin Andrew L. Tan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar, and Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio. (PHOTO courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday has fully paid the Fort Bonifacio, Taguig property which will be the site of the new SC Complex.
Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin handed to Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vicencio B. Dizon the check for P1,044,021,642.86 as full payment for the purchase of the 21,463 square meter property.
“Today’s signing marks the culmination of the negotiations and signifies the beginning of the new phase of the project that is the construction of the complex,” Bersamin said in his speech.
“We are a step closer to finally realizing our common dream to have a place we can call our own. This milestone is made possible by the sustained collaboration and consultation among the parties present today,” he added.
The 21,463 square meter property is located at the former Philippine Army Security Escort Group Area, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
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Bersamin and Dizon also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar for the construction of the Access Road going to C5, and another MOA with Megaworld Senior Vice President Kevin Andrew L. Tan for the construction of the access road from the SC property to Campus Avenue in the McKinley Area.
Bersamin said the signing “is a very momentous event for the Supreme Court because this will signal now the final move to another place where [the SC] will be considered the owners.”
The SC Building in Faura, Manila is owned by the University of the Philippines.
“We understand that there are still so many things to be done and a lot of challenges to be hurdled. Nevertheless, with your continued cooperation and unwavering support, we will one day soon see all the hard work come to fruition,” Bersamin said.
“I am certain that I will no longer be the Chief Justice when this day finally arrives. But I assure you that I will be among the first to feel the most proud and excited to have our beloved Supreme Court finally have a home,” he added.
Present in the event are Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Noel Tijam, Alexander G. Gesmundo, Rosmari D. Carandang, Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, Assistant Court Administrator Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio, En Banc Clerk of Court Atty. Edgar O. Aricheta, Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina M. Cunanan, and other Court officials.
Bersamin acknowledged Bernabe’s efforts as chair of the Committee on the New Supreme Court Complex.
“I personally would like to commend the leadership of my colleague, Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, who spearheads the Committee on this New Supreme Court Complex as its Working Chairperson,” he added. /ee