Petty village tyrants

The last time I checked, the martial law regime ended following the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986. But it would seem the vestiges of “martial law-like” restrictions are being illegally enforced inside the more than 70 enclaves of BF Homes in Parañaque City. The most brazen of these restrictions are being implemented by security guards under the employ of the BF Federation of Homeowners Associations Inc. (BFFHAI).

This is the umbrella organization for the various homeowners’ associations (HOAs) at Barangay BF Homes, as it is popularly called. It is a gated community populated by middle income families in southern Metro Manila. It has eight barangays, namely BF Homes, Don Bosco, Marcelo Green, Merville, Moonwalk, San Antonio, San Martin de Porres and Sun Valley.

But like many other neighborhoods in our country, BF Homes has its share of population who belong to the lower income strata, including informal settlers in various communities inside.

Described as Parañaque City’s largest village, BF Homes has the most popular foodie destinations dotting its major road, Aguirre Avenue. From cozy cafés and restaurants offering local favorites, Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine all the way to Mediterranean favorites and popular American comfort food, BF Homes attracts even many non-residents to flock to BF Homes, including those going to its rowdy sports bars and live music venues.

Currently, Barangay BF Homes is the largest barangay in the Philippines. The sudden imposition of “martial law-like” restrictions came after incumbent officials of BFFHAI ran but lost in last October’s barangay elections. Hence, many residents suspect they were getting back at them for not supporting their candidacies.

BF Homes is in District 2 of Parañaque City with 424,153 estimated population as of 2020 census, half of whom were registered voters as of 2022. And these registered voters also include kasambahay and “stay-out” helpers who live in the depressed areas around BF Homes.

It is as if the BFFHAI is a City Hall by itself with the newly issued entry restrictions on people and vehicles, one of which smacks of being anti-poor. The latest village rule might not even be covered by any national laws, much less any local ordinances of the Parañaque City Hall.

The BFFHAI posted this at its entry gates: “Effective Dec. 1, 2023. The following will be implemented for all trike passengers: No ID, No Ride, No Entry. DISPATCHERS and BFFHAI Guard WILL CHECK each PASSENGER’s National government ID. PASSENGER should prepare their ID BEFORE ENTERING BF Homes Subd. Gates for inspection.”

Why single out “trike passengers” only for entry restrictions?

Are these tricycle commuters being looked down on as usual suspects for crimes? Worse, their entry is questionable for the simple reason they could not afford to ride cars?

Surely, Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez is not aware of this BFFHAI entry restriction rule. For a pro-poor local official like Mayor Olivarez, such regulation is not fair, not even legal perhaps. For initiating many of the poverty alleviation programs, the mayor would not countenance such discriminatory policy.

Rep. Gus Tambunting, of the second congressional district of Parañaque City, could vouch as a lawmaker that the requirement of National ID is backed up by a national law they approved in Congress. However, checking for the National IDs at the gates before allowing entry of “trike passengers” is like one entering into a police state. It’s even quite demeaning to be set aside in one corner of the road for the checking of one’s National ID.

By the way, a tricycle ride around BF Homes is at minimum fare of P37 per head for short distances, to as much as P55 going out of BF gates. The operations of tricycles are under the jurisdiction of concerned local government units. But the tricycle fare is not the issue here.

The point is such BFFHAI gate entry restriction stands on loose legal grounds at the very least.

Another latest controversial BFFHAI regulation is the adoption of online registration for “stickers” on all vehicles coming in and out of Barangay BF Homes. Well and good since the government has been, in fact, encouraging digitalization of official transactions.

Through the years, the collection of fees for BF stickers is the number one money-making activity of the BFFHAI. Thus, BFFHAI requires an annual renewal for vehicle stickers.

For the year 2024, the BFFHAI collects for the first five cars of residents a sticker fee of P250 each; 6th to 10th vehicles at P550 each and 11th or more vehicles at P1,050 each. Non-residents are, of course, charged higher fees for sticker at P2,500 each and P850 each for motorcycle sticker.

The BFFHAI holds on to a Court of Appeals (CA) decision that affirmed its July 20, 2022 decision allowing it to regulate the entry through five roads leading to the subdivision of vehicles which are not owned by residents. The CA ruled against the petition filed by the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) which earlier ordered the BFFHAI to open the gates and allow the entry of vehicles on Aguirre Avenue, Elizalde Street, El Grande Avenue, Concha Cruz Street and Tropical Street and to stop imposing entry fees on utility and delivery service providers.

The CA cited “the right of homeowners’ associations (including federations) to set goals for the promotion of safety and security, peace, comfort and the general welfare of their residents….”

The CA further noted: “BFFHAI has consistently explained that the fees collected are intended for the salary of their security guards, maintenance of the roads and payment of the real property taxes due.”

Unless otherwise reversed by the Supreme Court, this CA ruling stands.

For now, BFFHAI has spread the power to individual HOA presidents to screen their respective residents applying online for vehicle stickers. Hence, more petty village tyrants are emerging with new found powers in their hands.