Legal battle looms over Mehan G

From a cultural cum historical debate, the battle over the Mehan Gardens has shifted to the legal front with the Manila City government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) insisting on their respective positions.

Manila City legal officer Melchor Monsod accused the DENR yesterday of exceeding its jurisdiction when it issued a cease and desist order against the city government from building the Park and Ride commuter center. The city government said the site is actually an abandoned street beside the historical Mehan Gardens formerly known as Basa street.

The DENR has, for its part threatened to slap the city government heavy fines for ignoring the cease and desist order. The city government said DENR should be the one to go to court to stop the construction.

"The city government is exercising its duty and prerogative to implement development projects that were duly approved by the city council. We are definitely acting within the bounds of the law. To stop us from touching or developing city-owned property without a clear basis is unconstitutional, illegal, and confisfactory," Monsod said.

Monsod said the DENR’s interpretation of the law was erroneous and based on mere opinion of the National Historical Institute. — Jose Aravilla