Taguig welcomes Makati’s recognition of the finality of SC ruling, intends to work for coordinated transition
After stubbornly refusing to concede on the finality of the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer the jurisdiction of 10 barangays to Taguig City, the Makati City Government finally declared it would respect the decision.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay made the statement weeks after the Supreme Court rejected Makati’s omnibus motion asking the highest court to allow it to file a second motion for reconsideration. The said motion effectively told the court to repudiate its own declaration that its decision had become final and allow a prohibited pleading.
Prior to the latest resolution released in June 2023, the Supreme Court in September 2022 already denied Makati’s first motion for reconsideration assailing the 2021 decision of the High Court which ruled that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of parcels 3 and 4, Psu-2031, including the disputed 10 barangays, is part of the territory of Taguig City by legal rights and historic title.
“Hindi pa kami nakakatanggap ng kopya ng nasabing desisyon ngunit nais kong linawin na igagalang ng Makati ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema,” Mayor Binay said in a video statement on Facebook.
The public concession statement of the losing party Makati means that the two-decade litigation which pitted two of the country’s most progressive cities has finally come to a definitive end. What remains is the implementation of the historic ruling which has wide-ranging implications on both cities. Gauging by their latest statements, the two neighboring LGUs appear to desire a smooth transition of the transfer of administration.
Binay in her video statement declared that she and the Makati government would coordinate with the concerned departments and agencies of the national government for a seamless transition.
In response, Taguig City issued a statement which said it welcomes this development and that Makati’s concession should pave the way for an orderly transition that would avoid disruption of public service.
Taguig reiterated that the City is “prepared to take on the responsibility of governing” the 10 barangays “with the same commitment and solicitude it has done with its 28 barangays”.
Taguig nonetheless took strong issue with the portion of Mayor Binay’s statement which belittled Taguig’s capacity to provide social benefits to the residents of the 10 barangays and the truthfulness of its claim that they could avail of Taguig’s scholarship program. Calling the remarks uncharitable and unfounded, Taguig said the issues raised by Mayor Binay are irrelevant to the finality of the SC’s decision and only tend to create anxiety and distrust. Instead, it proposed the creation of a joint transition team that would coordinate with the national agencies and all stakeholders for the speedy transfer of administration. It emphasized that the common goal should be the welfare of the residents , and urge the parties to match their words with actions.
About The Author
