Senator Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito (Senate PRIB) 

Senator Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito is wary about the legality of the Manila Bay reclamation project.

Ejercito said he would let the executive branch--through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)--do its work first before making q decision on whether or not he would file a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry.

‘’Kung kailangan ng in aid of legislation I will file reso pero kausapin ko rin ang majority si SP Zubiri (Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri) sa plano ko (I will talk to the Senate majority and Senate President Zubiri if there is a need for a Senate probe in aid of legislation),’’ he said. 

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga recently said that her department would form a team to review all ongoing reclamation activities amid the controversy regarding the involvement of a Chinese company in a Manila Bay project.

“The public will be updated when the team is formed,” Loyzaga said, adding that the DENR would also tap foreign experts to assist the panel in conducting the review.

The United States (US) embassy in Manila earlier raised with the Philippine government its concerns over ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay and the project’s ties with a Chinese firm blacklisted by the US for helping Beijing construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a political ally of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has maintained that processes were observed involving the 318-hectare reclamation project of the Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. (MWPDI) led by the senator’s family.

“I don’t deny that father is connected to the project. I know for a fact that reclamation projects here behind the Sofitel Philippine Plaza… all went through the process,” Gatchalian added during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on Wednesday. “I don’t deny that (it’s) my dad’s project, but I don’t meddle with the business."

While he was not part of the projects, the senator said he knew that all invited stakeholders, including the local government unit, non-government organizations (NGOs), businesses and embassies were invited and consulted.

“It went through a thorough process. PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority) and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) issued permits. They have gone through the process. It would be unfair if they question it now,” said noted. “Let’s respect the process.”

Last year, the PRA issued a permit allowing MWPDI to start reclamation of 318 hectares of foreshore and offshore areas in Manila Bay upon full payment of the initial regulatory fee.

The planned project, located in the south of Manila South Harbor, will include a central business district as well as health, entertainment and education hubs. This covers the P34.3-billion reclamation and horizontal development of 318 hectares along Manila Bay.

During a DWIZ radio interview Saturday, Aug. 5, Ejercito lamented that the charm of Manila, the famous Manila bay sunset, would only be enjoyed by the rich.

He also questioned whether the city of Manila has the right to part with the country’s patrimonial properties.

Ejercito, likewise, noted that the Supreme Court (SC) has issued Mandamus order on the upkeep of Manila pay.

‘’Alam ko all tributaries of water dapat pag aari ng Republika ng Pilipinas, yun ang dapat pag aralan (All I know is that tributaries of water is owned by the Republic of the Philippine…that should be studied),’’ he added.  

Ejercito said ‘’yes’’ to a query whether the Manila reclamation project should be suspended for the meantime.

‘’Paano kung found in violation tapos puno na ng buhangin ang Manila bay (Manila bay will already be full of sand when it is found in violation of the law). Personally I feel bad, inabutan ko nung bata ako yung charm of Manila bay (I saw the charm of Manilla bay when it was still young),’’ he pointed out.