Court won’t stop Quinta market demolition

MANILA, Philippines - A court yesterday denied a petition seeking to stop the demolition of Quinta market, saying Manila has the right to develop the decades-old “undoubtly patrimonial property of the city.”

Mayor Joseph Estrada hailed the decision of acting Judge Acerey Pacheco and said the demolition will push through on Monday morning.

In a three-page decision, Pacheco said the petition by the vendors and stall holders at Quinta market that they would be displaced once the property is developed has no basis.

“At best it is speculative,” Pacheco said, adding the petitioners “failed to show any superior strength than that of the city.”

He also reminded them that the business permits given to them by the city is a “privilege revocable” by the local government.

According to Pacheco, the city has the right to develop the property “as an attribute of ownership.”