Another attempt to foil gov’t recovery of Camp John Hay fails
Art Dumlao — February 20, 2025
Another attempt to foil gov’t recovery of Camp John Hay fails
BAGUIO CITY (February 18, 2025) -- Yet another attempt to foil government’s recovery of the 247-hectare leased Special Economic Zone at Camp John Hay failed.
Branch 3 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court (RTC) denied the petition for temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction by CJHDevCo sub-lessees to block the implementation of the arbitral award mandating the return of the leased property, together with all the improvements and permanent structures, to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Earlier, the Baguio RTC Branch 79 also denied a similar petition by a separate group of foreign nationals in Camp John Hay.
According to the court order by RTC branch 3 on February 6, 2025, petitioners were found to have acquired their rights from CJHDevCo, being its sublessees. Even if they were not made parties to the arbitration, they are bound by the Arbitral Award considering that they derive their rights from CJHDevCo, who is a party to the arbitration, the court ruled.
RTC branch 3 decided that petitioners failed to prove that they have a clear legal right to be excluded from the implementation of the reinstated Writ of Execution and Notice to Vacate.
BCDA Chairperson Atty. Hilario B. Paredes hailed the Baguio RTC and other law enforcement entities “for continuously upholding the rule of law and protecting the government’s rights over Camp John Hay.” He added, “This development proves what we have been saying all along—that the blame on the government, which is simply following the final ruling of the Supreme Court, is misdirected. We hope this gives way to productive dialogue with the claimants so we can discuss possible solutions regarding their claims.”
The Supreme Court on its April 3, 2024 ruling invalidated a 2015 Court of Appeals decision that nullified the Writ of Execution issued by Branch 6 of Baguio RTC and the Notice to Vacate issued by the court’s Ex-Officio Sheriff insofar as persons claiming rights over improvements in Camp John Hay are concerned.
The SC on its October 22, 2024 Resolution denied with finality the motions for reconsideration filed by CJHDevCo and intervenors who attempted to delay the implementation of the Supreme Court decision.
The BCDA though urged those who are affected by the ruling to reach out to them to discuss reasonable concerns within the bounds of the law by contacting the BCDA Help Desk via email at cjhhelpdesk@bcda.gov.ph or phone via (+63) 962 534 9397 or (+63) 954 976 8295.
