CEBU City Councilor Sisinio Andales has filed a resolution on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, urging the Supreme Court (SC) to begin the long-delayed construction of the judiciary complex at the South Road Properties (SRP).
In a privilege speech before the City Council, Andales said it is time for Cebu’s courts to have a permanent and dignified home.
Andales recalled that following the 2013 earthquake damaged the Marcelo Fernan Palace of Justice on the Capitol compound, around 30 Cebu City trial courts were relocated to the Qimonda IT Center near the pier area.
The private commercial building has since served as the temporary Cebu City Hall of Justice.
Andales said while the facility remains functional, it is far from ideal for the city’s court operations.
Government has been paying rent amounting to P1.2 million a month for the use of Qimonda. The rental continues to increase over time.
Andales, a lawyer, noted the SC had long expressed its intention to construct a dedicated judiciary complex in Cebu that would feature modern, high-tech, and comfortable courtrooms.
He also recalled that in 2019, then Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, on behalf of the City Government, and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, representing the SC, signed a deed of donation for 1.5 hectares of land in the SRP intended for the project.
However, despite the donation and the clear need for improved court facilities, the plan remains unrealized, Andales said.
He suggested that payments currently allocated for Qimonda be redirected to fund the initial phases of construction.
“Institutional respect”
Andales said the initiative is not just a matter of infrastructure but of institutional respect, as members of the judiciary and the public deserve a space that reflects the importance of justice and due process.
Andales emphasized the urgency of the project, saying the land is ready, the need is clear, and funding can start with existing resources.
He urged the judiciary to act without further delay to show that Cebu values the proper administration of justice.
Following his privilege speech, Andales filed a resolution calling on the Supreme Court, the IBP Cebu Chapters, the executive judge, and Mayor Nestor Archival to commence and support the construction of the Judiciary Complex at the SRP.
The resolution also seeks to redirect the rental payments currently made to Qimonda toward the project’s initial development phase and to furnish copies to the SC, the Office of the Court Administrator, the IBP, and the Office of the Mayor for their consideration and appropriate action. / CAV