Court asked to confirm P1.4-B award to Baguio camp developer

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – A petition seeking to confirm a P1.42-billion award by the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) to a private developer of Camp John Hay has been filed before a local court here.

In a petition filed last Friday, the CJH Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) asked the court to rule and issue a writ of execution for the payment of the award by the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

CJHDevCo asked the court to appoint an official who would oversee the turnover after the BCDA pays the amount.

It submitted a list of third parties holding rights over the leased property.

“BCDA is expected to continue to honor and respect all the rights and interests of third parties, such as locators, sub-lessees, unit owners, lot owners and golf club members since they acquired their interests in good faith and are not covered by the arbitral award to vacate,” said Alfredo Yniguez, CJHDevCo chief operating officer.

In a final award issued on Feb. 11, the PDRCI ruled that the private developer is not liable for P3.3 billion in back rentals  as claimed by BCDA,

It ordered BCDA to pay CJHDevCo P1.42 billion in damages for breach of contract, thereby returning to the private developer all rentals for the former American facility.

“The decision of PDRCI is a vindication for us, that we do not owe BCDA any rental fees,” Yniguez said.

He said the PDRCI confirmed that CJHDevCo was the aggrieved party in the case. – With Edu Punay