The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed its 2021 decision which declared as owned by the Taguig City government the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City Complex and several barangays in Makati City.
In its 2021 decision, the SC ruled that based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence, the contested areas fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.
Written by Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, the decision declared permanent the 1994 injunction issued by the Pasig City RTC 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 ruled.
The Makati City government filed a motion for reconsideration.
But the SC denied the motion in a two-page resolution. “Acting on petitioner’s omnibus motion for reconsideration of the decision promulgated on Dec. 1, 2021, which denied the petition for review on certiorari, the Court resolves to deny the motion with finality, the basic issues therein raised having been duly considered and passed upon by the Court in the aforesaid decision,” the resolution stated.
Thereafter, an entry of judgment was issued by the SC which declared final its 2021 decision..
In a statement emailed to journalists, the Taguig City government said it welcomed the SC’s final ruling on the issue as it pointed out that the end of the dispute between the two cities marks the start of “a new chapter for Taguig and its people.”
“In a way Taguig is not the only victor in this legal contest. In a bigger sense, with both parties putting their trust in the legal system, it is the rule of law which prevailed,” it said.
“We will work even harder to expand and improve the services we run for our constituents, by introducing new programs and projects. We have the resources to bring about a transformative, lively, and caring city,” it added.