Caloocan renews claim to territory

The Caloocan City government has renewed its claim over erstwhile territory annexed to neighboring Malabon when it was declared a highly urbanized city in April 2001. Caloocan City asserted its rights over Libis Baesa by filing a motion for intervention before the city court.

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri sought a favorable decision from the sala of Judge Adoracion Angeles, Regional Trial Court (Branch 121), to allow the city to intervene in the case "in the interest of justice and fair play."

"The city government’s intervention will enable it to assert right. This is to protect city’s interest and integrity," Echiverri said.

The mayor said the city has a legal right to intervene in the dispute between residents of the Barangays 160 and 161 (Libis Baesa) comprising some 35 hectares and the Malabon City government.

The land dispute came about when these barangays formerly belonging to Caloocan City were declared part of the territory of Malabon City under Republic Act 9019 (Malabon Cityhood) and its creation as a highly urbanized city.

"The city is on the brink of losing its historical, legal, political and administrative jurisdiction over portion of Barangays 160 and 161 annexed without the consent of its residents," Echiverri added.

He said his office has recently been flooded with complaints from confused residents. They said they were being assessed real property and business taxes by both city governments.

In the motion, the Caloocan City government adopted all the allegations contained in the petition for declaratory relief filed earlier by petitioners Councilor Henry Cammayo, Barangays 160 and 161 Chairmen Nestor Ignaio and Teofimo Gajudo, respectively.

Echiverri said RA 9019 is a blatant violation of the Article X, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution, stating no province, city, municipality or barangay maybe created, divided, merged, abolished or altered except by the criteria established in the Local Government Code by a plebiscite.

Malabon City authorities could not be immediately reached for comment on the issue.