MMDA silent on Jancom ruling

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando declined to comment on the order of a Pasig City Regional Trial Court judge for the agency to implement the controversial Jancom garbage contract.

"I haven’t seen the decision yet. I have to read it first before I make a comment," Fernando said over radio station dzRH.

Fernando’s staff also told The STAR that the MMDA has not yet received a copy of the decision of RTC Branch 68 Judge Santiago Estrella, issued last Monday.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said he learned only of the court’s order when sought for comment by The STAR yesterday.

"I haven’t seen the decision yet. But I think we would have to follow what Malacañang will tell us," Nacianceno said.

President Arroyo had said she would not sign the Jancom contract because it was disadvantageous to the government.

When Fernando was appointed MMDA chairman in June last year, he refused to implement the contract saying it was "too expensive" for the government.

But in a six-page writ of execution, Estrella ordered Fernando to submit to the President the amended agreement for the approval of the contract and its implementation.

The government and Jancom entered into an amended agreement downgrading the waste disposal facility into a sanitary landfill to have the contract executed.

Jancom entered the bidding for the construction of a waste disposal facility for Metro Manila’s garbage six years ago.

The company planned to put it up in San Mateo, Rizal.

In January 2002, the Supreme Court stated that the contract was "valid and perfected" and should be honored by the government.

In his order, Estrella reminded the MMDA of an earlier lower court decision not to entertain any proponents that would host the garbage of Metro Manila by declaring null and void any contract after Aug. 14, 2000. – Nikko Dizon