Skycity legality upheld

We’ve just learned that the Court of Appeals has dismissed for lack of merit a motion for reconsideration filed by the Greenhills East Association against property developer E. Ganzon Inc. paving the way for the much-delayed construction of a 77-storey building at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue. The said homeowners‚ association sought a reconsideration by the CA on a decision of the Office of the President and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) which found that the Skycity project of E. Ganzon does not prejudice anyone. In sustaining the decision of the OP and the HLURB, the CA noted that there are applicable and specific rules governing appeals from the decisions of the HLURB, adding that the rules of the National Labor Relations Commission or general administrative rules will not apply in the determination of appeals since the HLURB already provides for such rules. Clearly, the decision was based on a technicality. The real concerns of the homeowners‚ association pertaining to the possible adverse effects of the project were not addressed, but what can we do?

From The Readers

Here’s an e-mail from Vladimir Pak, business development analyst at ING Bank in Amsterdam: "I would like to share my experience of being a colleague and friend of Mr. Gnanathurai. What I admire the most in Mr. Gnanathurai is his big heart and sense of fairness – while heading the Uzbekistan resident mission of ADB, he donated large sums to the orphanage and to the child hospital treating tuberculosis patients.

With his attitude he set example to the staff of the URM who also contributed to the donations. "I don’t know all the details of the situation Mr.Gnanathurai finds himself at the moment, I only hope that all the support he received will encourage the ADB officials to employ a fair and unbiased judgement in investigating the case.

"I want to conclude with an excursus to the history – in 16th century Russia, anyone could accuse anyone of any wrongdoing. However, failing to prove the accusation led to hefty fines and punishment inflicted on the accuser.

"I would be looking forward to seeing this wise balancing system present in ADB as well." Our articles concerning the unfair treatment Mr. Gnanathurai is getting from ADB management is indeed getting a lot of attention, here and abroad.

His former colleagues in Uzbekistan, where he was ADB country director from 1998 to 2000, could not believe and were shocked to read from The STAR about the "dirty game" planned by his enemies, especially since Mr. Gnanathurai is known as a very generous and honest person.

Uzbek women, one of his colleagues wrote, are solidary with him, even as one quoted an African proverb: "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."

Meanwhile, Rose R. Masangcay, chairman of a small-scale coal mining cooperative being organized in Davao Oriental, shares with us the following thoughts:

We have read your column about Ed del Fonso’s lesson, and we appreciate so much the lessons therein for we are presently putting up a cooperative in small-scale mining of coal in one of the municipalities in Davao Oriental, and majority of the coop members belong to indigenous or cultural minorities, whom we know really need dedicated and sincere help for the development of the coal-mining venture.

"May we therefore solicit your valued support and assistance for and in the interest of indigenous people and our cooperative as well, that we may be guided in our venture by Mr. del Fonso through your valued concern so as our group may see the light of hope at the end of the tunnel. Our mailing address is Rico Alejandrino, liaison officer c/o Mario Sta. Maria, municipal secretary, Sangguniang Bayan Lupon, Davao Oriental and my contact number is 09193919743."

For comments, e-mail at philstarhiddenagenda@yahoo.com