CJHDevCo offers compromise in Camp John Hay dispute

MANILA, Philippines — CJH Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) has offered to completely waive its right to collect the P1.42-billion arbitral award granted in its favor by the Supreme Court – including all interest claims.

This is on the condition that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the government fully recognize, protect and honor the rights of the third-party homeowners, unit owners and golf club members of Camp John Hay.

This includes:

•189 unit owners at The Manor

•208 unit owners at The Forest Lodge

• 25 country home owners

• 56 forest cabin owners

• 13 VOA log home owners

• 45 estate house and lot owners

• 38 lot pad owners

• 2,500 golf club certificate holders

“This is not about CJHDevCo,” the statement read. “This is about safeguarding the rights and dignity of those who trusted the system. Camp John Hay should not become a graveyard for their dreams.”
The company is calling on President Marcos to intervene and direct BCDA to cease all actions against property owners and golf club members; recongize and uphold the contracts entered into with third-party buyers in good faith; and preserve the peace and stability of the Camp John Hay community.

The company clarified that its offer to waive the P1.42 billion arbitral claim remains valid for the next thirty calendar days. This offer is made purely in the interest of peace and justice, and does not affect CJHDevCo’s ongoing petition for the approval of its money claim with the Commission on Audit unless and until the government accepts the offer.

Following the recent Supreme Court affirmation of the 2015 Arbitral Award in favor of CJHDevCo, the company vacated Camp John Hay on Jan. 7, 2025.

However, CJHDevCo alleged that thousands of third-party investors are being stripped of their property rights, despite being innocent parties who purchased units and shares in good faith, through government-approved and directed programs.

“We make this appeal not simply on legal grounds, but on behalf of the thousands of ordinary Filipinos and foreign nationals who invested their life savings into homes, condominiums, and golf shares in Camp John Hay,” the company said in a statement.

The company highlighted that since January, BCDA has resorted to padlocking homes and ejecting families from units they legally purchased – without prior notice, court orders or recourse to legal remedies.

Even golf members – 2,500 of them – have had their shares rendered void as BCDA unilaterally revoked Camp John Hay Golf Club’s SEC-registered membership rights, the company said.

CJHDevCo reminded the public that these properties and memberships were developed, marketed and sold under the explicit direction of the government itself through the original 1996 Lease Agreement between BCDA and CJHDevCo.