Taguig court has issued a writ of preliminary injunction, allowing the Taguig City government to maintain control over facilities in EMBO (Enlisted Men's Barrio) barangays.

The Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 granted the writ of preliminary injunction on May 22 following the issuance earlier of an extension of a temporary restraining order (TRO) that allowed Taguig to access the EMBO facilities. 

In a seven-page ruling on May 22,, Presiding Judge Mariam Bien barred the Makati City government and its representatives from restricting access to government properties—including health centers, covered courts, daycare centers, and other essential facilities.

A court earlier granted a TRO that allowed Taguit to reopen the EMBO facilities. 

The latest court decision will enable Taguig to continue operating these facilities and delivering basic services, consistent with the 2021 Supreme Court decision that conclusively declared the EMBO barangays as part of Taguig’s jurisdiction. 

The writ will remain effective while the trial to determine which city has the better right of possession to the facilities continues.

The Taguig Regional Trial Court previously issued a 72-hour TRO in favor of Taguig, which was extended by 17 days. 

During the hearing in May, the Taguig City government put on the witness stand barangay captains and residents from the EMBOs who testified that Makati had closed public health centers, depriving residents—particularly senior citizens—of access to vital services. 

The court said that the prolonged denial of basic services posed “grave injustice and irreparable injury” to the residents of the EMBO communities. 

It reiterated that the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction does not decide the main case but serves as a provisional remedy to prevent further harm while the case is ongoing. 

To protect Makati’s rights should it turn out that the writ of preliminary injunction may have been improperly issued, Taguig is directed to post a P50 Million on top of the P20 Million bond it had previously posted. 

A Supreme Court ruling transferred 10 EMBO barangays from Makati to Taguig. 

Mayor Lani Cayetano welcomed the court’s decision, saying, “Lubos po naming ikinagagalak ang desisyong ito ng korte. Sa pamamagitan ng preliminary injunction, tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabalik ng serbisyo sa mga taga-EMBO (We are very pleased with this court decision. With the preliminary injunction, the restoration of service to EMBO employees will continue)."

The Taguig court's order