Alabang Terminal operators pleads less city government interference

Private operators of the Alabang Terminal in Muntinlupa City are asking the city government to abide by a recent order issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) for the latter to stop interfering in their operations.

Representatives of the Ayesel Construction and Development Corp. said the Muntinlupa City government should stop meddling in the terminal’s operations after a temporary restraining order (TRO) was issued by the CA through Associate Justice Roberto Barrios.

Dante Almario, Alabang Terminal vice president for operations, said that though the city government was already notified of the court order last April 25, city hall employees claiming authority from Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, refuse to comply with the resolution from the appellate court.

"Employees of the city government continue to occupy the gate and collection booths of the terminal, in direct violation of the court’s cease-and-desist order," Almario noted.

Further, he said a previous order of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) which favored the city government "cannot be given any legal effect" because of the TRO issued by the CA.

Ayesel was granted by the City Council the right to construct, operate and manage the Alabang Jeepney Terminal for 20 years beginning March 2001.

The Alabang Jeepney Terminal, located at the junction of Alabang-Zapote Road, serves as the commercial and transportation hub for jeepney operators and passengers. The buildings and improvements worth P40 million was built by Ayesel in 2002.

However, the city government cancelled the contract after the operators reportedly failed to pay the rentals stipulated in the contract of lease. It demanded payment from Ayesel and the two other companies — Royalty Alabang Foods Inc., and Monarch Alabang Foods Inc. — or they should vacate the subject premises.

Fresnedi said a Muntinlupa court has already resolved the issue in their favor. "As I see it, there is no need for us to comply on anything since the operations of the terminal has long been addressed."

Fresnedi said they will incorporate such arguments in the comments they are set to file before the CA.