Capitol officially donates lot for new DOJ building

CEBU, Philippines - The four-storey Department of Justice building for Central Visayas would soon rise on a 3,000-square-meter lot at the Department of Agriculture compound along M. Velez Street, Cebu City, after a property agreement was sealed.

A deed of donation for the lot was entered into by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas yesterday at the governor's conference room.

"…the donor (Capitol) does herby voluntarily cede, transfer and convey by way of donation unto the donee (DOJ) the property, free from all liens, encumbrances and charges of whatever kind and nature," read part of the three-page agreement.

The lot is situated where the Office of the Ombudsman is also housed. The building will be used to accommodate the new regional office of the DOJ as well as the offices of the Regional State Prosecutor, Provincial Prosecutor, Cebu City Prosecutor, and Public Attorney.

All these offices are still holding and conducting transactions at the Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan Hall, which was declared unsafe and unfit for occupancy by the Office of the Building Officials when it was damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.

The construction of DOJ's regional office for Central Visayas would start within the year and is expected to be completed by the end of next year, Caparas said. He, however, said he doesn't know yet the details of the building, including the cost.

Caparas thanked Cebu provincial government for its generosity, saying "this will help us deliver our services to the public."

He said the project would not be hampered and affected even if the new DOJ Secretary starts to assume post. Presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte chose veteran lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre II as Justice Secretary.

"We are in the spirit of helping one another. I believe the incoming administration has also that in mind to continue this project for efficient delivery of services to the public. The building meant to service the public better," he said.

In January this year, former Justice Secretary and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa sent Davide a letter requesting for the lot donation from the provincial government.

The Provincial Board on May 2 authorized Davide to sign and enter into a deed of donation for the lot.

After the signing, Davide raised anew the province's plan to acquire the Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan Hall as an extension of the Executive Building.

If given the green light, Davide said he intends to either fix it or tear it down to pave way for new extension executive offices.

Caparas said he will discuss it with the Chief of Justice and officials concerned, but did not promise for a positive response from the heads.

"You can expect my very best effort to make sure it will happen," he said.

Davide asked the DOJ last January for the Capitol to use the damaged building as an extension of the Executive Building. — (FREEMAN)