PPIC asks BCDA to obey TRO on Poro Point takeover

The Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) yesterday called on the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) to obey the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court stopping the government agencies from taking over of the Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal.

The PPIC issued the call amid the refusal by the BCDA and PPMC officials to restore and maintain the status quo at the seaport facility.

The San Fernando court issued the TRO following a takeover of the port offices and facilities by the BCDA and PPMC.

The operation of the seaport is currently the object of a legal battle following a bid by BCDA and PPMC officials to have a 1999 contract between PPIC consortium members and the government declared null and void.

PPIC has a 25-year lease contract.

The Court had earlier issued an injunction against the BCDA and PPMC, preventing a take over while the legal dispute is pending.

PPIC legal counsel Brigido Dulay said it is important for BCDA and PPMC officials "to respect the court order to prevent the further escalation of tension in Poro Point."

"This is a mere business conflict which is now pending in the court," Dulay pointed out, as such "there is no need for BCDA and PPMC to use armed groups."

Dulay was apprehensive that the refusal by the BCDA and PPMC officials to honor the TRO "tells the international business community that there is no rule of law in the country."

"If the order of a court is disregarded in favor of a violent armed option, who would want to do business here?" Dulay asked.

Dulay pointed out that "there is a proper venue for the settlement of business-related disagreements and conflicts of interest. The use of brute force is totally unnecessary."

He warned that the BCDA and PPMC "could permanently damage its goodwill with the business and investor community as a result of its disregard for legal processes and the preference for armed intrusion."

Dulay appealed to BCDA president Narciso Abaya to resort to legal and peaceful means and allow sobriety to guide the resolution of the current stand-off at Poro Point.