The Makati City local government said on Thursday, April 28, that some of its barangays will continue to be under its jurisdiction amid the Supreme Court's (SC) ruling that the Bonifacio Global City Complex and several of its barangays are owned by the Taguig City government.
"The City Government of Makati has not yet received the official copy of the supposed decision. We will give our statement on the issue at the appropriate time," Makati City Legal Officer and Spokesperson Atty. Michael Camiña said in a Viber message.
"At this point, we just want to reiterate that the City will continue to protect its geographical integrity and shall pursue all available legal remedies for the best interest of the Makatizens to ensure that this is realized," he added.
In a decision released on Wednesday, April 27, the SC ruled that based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence, the contested areas, which includes the Bonifacio Global City Complex and six barangays in Makati, fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.
In the decision written by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, the SC declared permanent the 1994 injunction issued by the Pasig City RTC (Regional Trial Court) which stopped the Makati City government “from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory Parcels 3 and 4, Psu-2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.”
The Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and the so-called six villages are situated in the said areas.
“Considering the historical evidence adduced, cadastral surveys submitted, and the contemporaneous acts of lawful authorities, We find that Taguig presented evidence that is more convincing and worthier of belief than those proffered by Makati,” the SC said.
“Consequently, we rule that Taguig has a superior claim to the disputed areas,” it added as it denied the petition filed by the Makati City government which wanted a reversal of the Court of Appeals (CA) decision which, effectively, ruled that the contested areas belong to Taguig City.