PEA-Amari’s 3rd appeal certain to be ‘dead on arrival’ — Joker

Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday that the third motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision nullifying the multibillion-peso deal between the Public Estates Authority (PEA) and the Amari Coastal Development Corp. over a reclamation project in Manila Bay would be "dead on arrival."

Arroyo, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said it is unlikely for the high tribunal to reverse itself after ruling with finality on the invalidity of the Amari land deal when it denied the first and second motions for reconsideration. The SC junked the second motion early this month.

"A third motion for reconsideration is as good as dead on arrival," Arroyo said of the reported legal maneuver Amari is planning to take in view of the so-called 7-7 "split" voting of the court last Nov. 11.

He said that there was "no chance" the High Court would reconsider its July 9, 2002 decision declaring the PEA-Amari deal as null and void and "grossly disadvantageous to the government."

"It would be a big embarrassment should the Supreme Court reverse itself on third appeal," Arroyo said.

In July 2002, the Supreme Court ruled to permanently enjoin the government, through the PEA, and Amari from implementing the amended joint venture agreement, on grounds that it is invalid. — Jose Rodel Clapano