Despite a Supreme Court ruling in April, there is no stopping the Makati City government from fighting for the lands declared under the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.
“The case is still pending and the fight is not yet over. We have a pending motion so we are waiting for the Supreme Court to schedule our motion,” Makati City Mayor Abby Binay was quoted as saying last week.
She added: “We will fight, we have to fight because from the very start, even if you interview our ancestors, they know to whom the enlisted barrio are.”
Binay cited her concern over the welfare of more than 200,000 residents, particularly the children, and students, who might be deprived of services that the city government is giving them if their transfer to Taguig pushes through.
The Municipality of Pateros, she said, is also gunning to take the same area which Taguig City has been fighting for, but Makati City will put up a fight — which will be a three-cornered legal battle.
She earlier told reporters that Makati has received a document setting the issue for a hearing or oral argument, a claim disputed by the Taguig City government.
Meanwhile, Taguig was quick to say that its legal dispute with Makati has come to an end.
Taguig City government said it is appealing to the Supreme Court to take notice of Makati’s claims and consider appropriate action.
The case of the contested Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Comembo, Pembo, and Pitogo which has an aggregate area of 3,044,568 square meters has dragged on for years.
The SC, two months ago, affirmed its 2021 decision that declared the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City Complex and several barangays in Makati City under the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.
SC said its 2021 decision was based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence.
Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, in his ruling, declared permanent the 1994 injunction issued by the Pasig City RTC ordering the Makati City government “from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory Parcels 3 and 4, Psu 2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.”
The six villages in the said areas include the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani and AFP Officers Village.