The Taguig City government branded the criminal cases filed by Makati City government employees against Mayor Lani Cayetano and others related to the closure of the disputed Makati Park and Garden as a publicity stunt and lies.

On March 1, Taguig employees were prevented from entering the Makati Park and Garden located in EMBO (enlisted men’s barrio) areas, which are now part of Taguig based on a Supreme Court decision which became final last year. Ten EMBO barangays were transferred from Makati to Taguig based on the decision.

The Makati Park and Garden (Screenshot from Google Maps)

Taguig City employees close the Makati Park and Garden on March 3 (Photos from the Taguig City government)

This prompted the Taguig City government to close the park on March 3, Sunday, because it operated without permits.

“The City of Taguig on Sunday has temporarily closed the Makati Park and Garden, a public facility under its jurisdiction, for operating without the necessary permits from the local government.”

After the closure of the park, four employees of the Makati City government filed complaints of illegal detention and grave coercion against Mayor Cayetano and other Taguig officials and employees before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Taguig.

Included as respondents in the cases are Taguig City Administrator Jose Luis Montales, Business Permits and Licensing Office head Maria Theresa Veloso, Traffic Management Office (TMO) head Danny Cañaveral, and several John Does who introduced themselves as personnel of the Taguig City government.

In a statement issued on March 8, the Taguig City government said the criminal cases are just a publicity stunt.

“Malinaw naman na publicity stunt lang ang kasong ito na gawa-gawa ng Makati. Kung kaya naman bago pa ito pormal na isampa sa piskalya ay binigyan muna ng kopya ang media at nagpalitrato muna ang mga umano’y nagrereklamo (The case is clearly a publicity stunt made up by Makati. That is why before the case was filed with the fiscal’s office, a copy was given to the media and the alleged complainants had their pictures taken),” the Taguig City government said.

It added, “Kinasangkapan ng Makati ang mga kawawang empleyado na isinubo nila sa kapahamakan dahil sa pagsisinungaling sa kanilang sinumpaang salaysay. Sasagutin ng pamunuan ng Taguig ang demanda kapag natanggap na nito ang kopya ng reklamo (Makati used the poor employees that it put in danger because of their lies in their sworn statements. The leadership of Taguig will answer the case when it receives a copy of the complaint).”

According to the Makati employees, they were harassed and detained against their will by Taguig employees in incidents that happened on March 1, 2 and 3 within the area of the Makati Park and Garden.

The fourth complainant filed a case against Cayetano for grave coercion after being prevented by Taguig employees from reporting to work at the Makati Aqua Sports Arena (MASA), which is adjacent to the park.

The Taguig City government reiterated its position that all public facilities in EMBO barangays should be allowed to be used by residents.

It said it has the right to regulate the operation of the Makati Park and Garden as the facility is under its jurisdiction.

The city government said all government agencies are not exempted from regulations. While they are exempted from paying regulatory fees, they are required to get permits.