BF Homes execs evict barangay officials from clubhouse

United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) officials ordered barangay officials yesterday to vacate the clubhouse and all open spaces within the huge residential area of BF Homes in Parañaque based on a Supreme Court (SC) decision declaring the organization as the legal caretaker of such properties.

They also reminded barangay chairman Jeremy Marquez that his office may not issue business permits and clearances to anyone unless approved by the UBFHAI.

UBFHAI president Leon Arceo said a list of all business granted permits without the endorsement of the homeowner’s group should also be submitted to his office.

The SC, in its May 2007 ruling, declared that all open spaces within BF Homes, the country’s biggest residential village that also cuts through the cities of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, falls under the care and management of the organization as representative of the subdivision developer.

The High Tribunal also ruled that the barangay government may not issue business permits for businesses located inside the village without UBFHAI approval, based on an existing local law passed by the Parañaque City Council.

The entire issue stemmed from a rift between the homeowner’s organization and barangay officials more than 10 years ago concerning the village clubhouse, which was built on an open space.

Both groups claimed they have the right to supervise the administration of the public structure, resulting in a lawsuit filed before the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

UBFHAI won the case all the way to the SC and the group is now enforcing the ruling with a writ of execution issued by Makati City RTC Branch 61 Judge Romeo Ramoso.

Arceo, who was elected president of the homeowner’s group last May after months of fighting between his predecessor and the latter’s critics, gave Marquez seven days to have barangay personnel vacate all open spaces they are occupying inside BF Homes.