DMCI: No compromise on Torre de Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The developer of the controversial Torre de Manila condominium has rejected proposals to alter the façade of the building as a compromise to settle the issue on the iconic sight line of the Jose Rizal monument in Manila.

DMCI Project Developers Inc. does not consider feasible the remedial measures, including the proposal raised by the lawyer of Knights of Rizal in earlier oral argument in the Supreme Court (SC) for the use of the façade of the 49-story building for advertising.

“It could not be done because the façade of the building has a lot of balconies. It would be physically impossible to put an advertisement poster there,” DMCI lawyer Roberto Dio explained to reporters yesterday.

Dio said the other proposal to convert the building’s façade into a curtain wall that has mirror-like effects to reflect Rizal Park – instead of the demolition option as sought by the Knights of Rizal – is likewise not feasible.

He stressed that over 800 unit buyers of Torre de Manila are unlikely to agree with the proposal to alter the building’s design.

Dio revealed that the DMCI actually offered the management of Rizal Park to plant trees around in order to protect its view from Torre de Manila but this was rejected.

“If we try to ameliorate the situation by addressing the concern of one party we encounter the concerns of other parties,” he explained.

The DMCI lawyer said they only want the dismissal of the petition of the Knights of Rizal in the SC, insisting that the construction of the building does not violate any law and has complete permits.

“The only win-win solution is for the Supreme Court to do its job of rendering a fair judgment that is consistent with its previous ruling on similar issues,” Dio added.

The lawyer stressed that Torre de Manila has been demonized only because it was the first building to rise in the area where the Jai Alai building and new Manila Hall of Justice will also rise.

Lastly, Dio said the Torre de Manila does not violate the Constitution, which in fact allows a “marriage between heritage and development.”

The SC is set to continue today the oral arguments on the case.

In the hearing last week, DMCI lawyers told high court justices that the Torre de Manila is not a photobomb as depicted by petitioner.

Corroborating counsel Victor Lazatin said the pictures submitted by the Knights of Rizal showing the structure “photobombing” the Rizal monument were “trick shots that used photo lenses that distort the truth.”

He pleaded for the immediate lifting of the temporary restraining order issued by the SC preventing the completion of the building.