Attempt to sabotage gov’t recovery of John Hay foiled

Art Dumlao — February 9, 2025

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BAGUIO CITY (February 8, 2025) – Another attempt to sabotage state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s (BCDA) full recovery of Camp John Hay was foiled with the denial of a petition for TRO to halt Branch 6 of Baguio RTC and the court’s ex-officio sheriff from implementing an arbitral final award mandating the return of the 247-hectare leased property, together with all improvements, to the BCDA.

 

Branch 79 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court (RTC) last Wednesday, February 5, 2025, denied the application of several foreign nationals, asking for a TRO to stop Branch 6 of Baguio RTC and the court’s ex-officio sheriff from implementing an arbitral final award mandating the return of the leased property and all its improvements to BCDA.

 

BCDA Chairperson Atty. Hilario B. Paredes said, “(this development) sends a strong message to all stakeholders to respect the rule of law. We thank the dedicated officers at the Baguio Regional Trial Court and our law enforcement partners who continue to tirelessly and vigorously enforce our laws. We encourage all stakeholders to communicate with BCDA to be properly apprised of their rights and remedies under the law, so as not to be misled by statements repeatedly issued by some parties.”

 

Paredes urged the affected stakeholders to lay their rightful claim on the accountable party/ies they signed their contracts with.

 

The fresh attempt to stop the return of Camp John Hay to the BCDA comes after the ex-officio sheriff proceeded to continue the execution of the final award, which started on January 6, 2025.

 

On April 3, 2024, the Supreme Court invalidated a 2015 Court of Appeals ruling 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 third persons claiming rights over improvements in Camp John Hay are concerned.

 

In its final decision in October 2024, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals ruling and upheld the arbitral final award, saying all improvements must be returned to the BCDA without exception.


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