Smooth territorial turnover sought
Now, the single greatest liability a lawyer can have is pride. Pride has lost more cases than lousy evidence, idiot witnesses, and a hanging judge all put together. There is absolutely no place in a courtroom for pride. – A Civil Action
Like a fine, sharp knife to soft butter.
That’s how compliance should be with a just law, which a great civil rights champion once defined as “a man-made code that squares with the moral law of God”.
Such compliance must be for all applicable laws, including Supreme Court decisions.
Being the highest tribunal in the land, the SC is steeped in judicial statesmanship, and all its decisions are generally presumed to have been arrived at with the utmost collective wisdom of its esteemed justices.
In such a case, these majestic magistrates are truly a precious gift to the people.
Thus, former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado appealed to both the Taguig and Makati City governments to work for a smooth transition in relation to the final SC decision that the 729-hectare Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation where the Bonifacio Global City is located and several barangays in Makati City are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City.
“The decision is now final and executory. All must respect the decision which the SC itself rendered after decades of litigation. Taguig and Makati should work together to ensure a smooth transition so that services will not be disrupted,” said Mercado.
He made the appeal as SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the SC has dismissed the omnibus petition of the Makati City government seeking to elevate the land dispute to the SC en banc due to lack of merit.
In its decision, the High Court declared that the territory in question is under the jurisdiction of Taguig based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence.
“Considering the historical evidence adduced, cadastral surveys submitted, and the contemporaneous acts of lawful authorities, we find that Taguig presented evidence that is more convincing and worthier of belief than those proffered by Makati,” the SC decision stated.
Hosaka added that since the High Tribunal has already issued a final decision, it would no longer accept any pleadings, motions, letters or any communication concerning the case.
The 729-hectare area declared as part of Taguig, covers Fort Bonifacio, Barangay Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, and Pitogo as well as the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ HQ, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village, and 6 other adjacent villages.
The SC ruling also directed Makati City to shoulder the legal expenses incurred in the land dispute.
For its part, the Taguig City government said the end of the legal battle would mark a new chapter for those affected by the land dispute.
In a statement, it said: “Our victory in the courts of law is not merely a vindication of our rights. It is equally a command for us to make good use of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand our brand of committed public service to new constituents. We welcome our new Taguigeños with this solemn promise.”
Taguig City is hopeful that Makati City would cooperate for the smooth transition of the affected barangays to ensure continuous public service and for the benefit of former residents of Makati who will now be called Taguigeños.
With the case finally settled, Ped Xing believes both cities should now move on and sustain the business of propelling progress for their respective residents.
