01/23/2012 [ tribune.net.ph]
The city government of Taguig has territorial jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacion, according to a decision rendered by the Pasig Regional Trial Court recently.
The decision means Taguig City has ownership over the 200-hectare Bonifacio Global City complex, as well as other portions of Fort Bonifacio where the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, Jusmag area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and six villages are located.
It also declared unconstitutional Presidential Proclamations 2475, Series of 1986 and No. 518, Series of 1990, for altering the boundaries of Taguig without the benefit of a plebiscite.
These proclamations cover the barangays of Cembo, South Cembo, West Cembo, East Cembo, Comembo, Pembo and Pitogo. This means that Makati should yield jurisdiction over the seven barangays surrounding the military camp, said Taguig lawyer Arturo Corvera in a statement.
Judge Leili Cruz Suarez of Branch 153 affirmed the decision of Judge Briccio Ygaña who retired on July 9 last year.
Makati earlier filed criminal and administrative charges versus Ygaña over what it claimed a midnight decision.
“The decision is broad and encompassing as it should be because the documents covering Fort Bonifacio clearly show that the so-called ‘EMBO’ barangays are within the jurisdiction of Taguig,” Corvera said.
Taguig 2nd District Rep. Freddie Tiñga added: “I am very happy for Taguig and our people that the most difficult and hotly-contested phase of our territorial dispute is finally over. I would like to thank the judges for resolving the main case based on the overwhelming evidences of Taguig.”
Taguig filed the case involving the territorial dispute before the Pasig court in 1993. Corvera alleged the delay in the decision is due to appeals filed by Makati.
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