John Hay developer warns BCDA vs illegal takeover

MANILA, Philippines - The developers of Camp John Hay in Baguio City has warned the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from forcibly taking over the area pending the resolution of their case with the Court of Appeals (CA).

Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco) executive vice president Alfredo Yñiguez said the BCDA has been misleading locators and shareholders when it issued a Notice to Investors on Nov. 1, claiming the CA had lifted the injunction against BCDA, making it appear the private developers are no longer in charge.

Yñiguez said the writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Baguio regional trial court (RTC) against the BCDA remains in effect while the decision of the CA is not yet final.

The CA had asked both parties to submit themselves to the arbitration tribunal.

“We expect BCDA will observe and respect the legal process and restrain itself from any attempt of an illegal takeover of the camp. Any such attempt is clearly illegal and criminal,” Yñiguez said in a letter to BCDA president Arnel Casanova last Nov. 7.

“Your heavy handed manner of handling this dispute is reminiscent of the martial law days when government forcibly took over companies and facilities simply because they wanted to and in complete disregard of the rights of both individuals and corporations,” he added.

“Any act toward this, whether verbal or physical, only shows a lack of observance and total disregard for due process and the rule of law, the consequence of which shall be harmful and prejudicial to the well-being and safety of our locators, buyers, investors and visitors in the camp,” he said.

Yñiguez said CJHDevco would defend its rights until the arbitration tribunal has rendered a final ruling, and the Baguio RTC has decided the case with finality.