Makati raises ‘constitutional’ issues in BGC land dispute

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government yesterday said there are “constitutional” issues that should be addressed in the land dispute case that favored Taguig City’s jurisdiction over the Fort Bonifacio military reservation.

Makati city legal officer Don Camiña said the city government had asked the Supreme Court (SC) to elevate the case to the entire high tribunal after its Special Third Division ruled that Fort Bonifacio  – including the revenue-rich Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – belongs to Taguig.

The ruling affected Makati’s barangays known as “embos” or “enlisted men’s barrios,” and the transfer of these to Taguig would adversely affect Makati’s voter  base and cause instability in its business environment, Camiña said.

The “embo” barangays – Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo and Pitogo – are located in Makati’s second congressional district, represented by Mayor Abby Binay’s husband Luis Campos Jr.

“We believe that the decision involves constitutional issues that need to be addressed by the entire court. Not only will the decision have far-reaching consequences on the operation and stability of businesses in the affected areas, it could also prejudice the right to vote and the access to vital social services of both Makati and Taguig residents,” Camiña said.

The high court yesterday confirmed the entry of judgment of its special third division’s December 2021 decision that denied Makati’s last-ditch effort to appeal Taguig’s win through a petition for review on certiorari.

The SC said it has written “finis” to the tug-of-war over the military reservation where the 240-hectare lifestyle hub and financial center BGC is located.

The court said that in its Sept. 28, 2022 resolution, the Special Third Division denied Makati’s appeal and its omnibus motion to elevate the case to the entire SC because it “is not an Appellate Court to which decisions or resolutions of a Division may be appealed.”

“The Court likewise said that no further pleadings, motions, letters or other communications shall be entertained in this case, as it ordered the immediate issuance of an entry of judg-ment,” the SC said.