BCDA asked to honor 3rd party contracts in John Hay dispute

MANILA, Philippines - The developer of Camp John Hay in Baguio City has urged the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to honor third party contracts on properties and businesses within the property following the resolution of the arbitration case they filed.

Gilbert Reyes, lawyer of Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo), said the arbitration ruling does not affect third parties.

“An arbitration case is not like a court case. It‘s a case between parties alone and affects only the parties involved. We trust that even with the issuance of the award, the parties will act in good faith and with due regard for the rights and interests of innocent third parties who are not involved in the dispute between CJHDevCo and the BCDA,” Reyes told reporters on Tuesday.

The  CJHDevCo  had filed an arbitration case against the  BCDA after it refused to accept their offer of payments.

 In a resolution released on Feb. 11, the arbitration court dismissed the claim of BCDA that CJHDevCo owes them P3.3 billion and ordered BCDA to return P1.42 billion in rental payments by CJHDevCo.

 “BCDA must respect all existing contracts with locators. Aside from that, CJH DevCo continues to have right of possession,” CJHDevCo executive vice president Alfredo Yniguez said.