Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — The Supreme Court (SC) has refused to entertain Makati City’s second motion for reconsideration (MR) which challenged an earlier ruling that favored Taguig City in a territorial dispute.
The SC on Thursday said in a release that its Special Third Division denied on June 26 Makati’s second omnibus motion where the city asked the court for permission to file a second MR, among other things.
The court noted that a second MR is generally prohibited under the Rules of Court.
Makati was appealing the SC’s December 2021 decision which affirmed that the Bonifacio Military Reservation (BMR) is part of Taguig. Both Taguig and Makati claimed rights to exercise jurisdiction over the BMR.
READ: SC’s final ruling: BGC is part of Taguig
The high court pointed out that in a September 2022 resolution, it already denied “with finality” Makati’s omnibus motion seeking reconsideration of the ruling.
Makati also asked the SC to hear the case en banc, which the city said is a legal recourse provided in the SC Internal Rules.
However, the Supreme Court stressed that the court en banc is not an appellate court to which decisions or resolutions of a division may be appealed.
“The same Resolution then directed that no further pleadings will be entertained in the case, and that an Entry of Judgment be issued immediately,” the SC added, referring to the September verdict.
Makati’s legal officer, Atty. Don Camiña, earlier argued that the court decision will have “far-reaching consequences” on the stability of businesses in affected areas and “could also prejudice the right to vote and the access to vital services of both Makati and Taguig residents.”
