Written by Tribune
Friday, 28 September 2012 00:00 [ tribune.net.ph ]
The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC)
Branch 146 issued an order dated Sept. 24, 2012 directing the issuance of a
writ of preliminary attachment against Harbor Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI)
in order to secure the claim of Home Guaranty Corp. (HGC) amounting to at least
P280 million, a press statement said.
The RTC found that the aborted
transfer of HCPTI’s 65 percent share in Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (MNHPI),
a joint venture company with Petron Corp., to a holding company of the Romero
family, Harbor Center Port Holdings Inc. (HCPHI) shows the intent to defraud
HGC that would render any judgment against HCPTI illusory.
The RTC ordered its Branch Sheriff,
upon posting of a bond by HGC, “to attach the properties, real or personal of
HCPTI anywhere in the Philippines or so much thereof as may be sufficient to
satisfy HGC’s demand for P280 million.”
HCPTI is currently under the control
of father and son, Reghis and Michael Romero.
The order granting the preliminary
attachment stemmed from a counter-claim filed by HGC against HCPTI in
connection with the unpaid usufructuary fees due to HGC since 2002.
The HGC, under the Housing and Urban
Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chaired by Vice President Jejomar
Binay, has intensified its efforts to implement the “tuwid na daan” policy of
President Aquino.
In another case, HGC is seeking to
recover its majority ownership in HCPTI from the Romero family. HGC’s complaint
filed last Sept. 13 seeks the “nullification of conveyance” of at least 286
million shares of HCPTI to R-II Builders Inc., a corporation likewise owned and
controlled by the Romero family.
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