Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15) — Taguig City still needs to secure a Writ of Execution from the court before it can have control over 10 barangays from Makati City, according to the administrator of the Supreme Court (SC).
On Tuesday, Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza released to the media a copy of a document that showed a clarification on the transfer of jurisdiction.
The document dated Aug. 14, signed by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 64 Executive Judge Gina M. Bibat-Palamos, quoted the response from the Office of the Court of Administrator.
“As an initial assessment, the decision of the Supreme Court’s Third Division should be the subject of a Writ of Execution before the trial court of origin. When the said writ has been implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government, then that is the reckoning period for the transfer of jurisdiction of cases emanating from the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of Parcels 3 and 4, Psu-2031, from Makati City to the City of Taguig,” SC Administrator Raul Villanueva wrote in his reply to Executive Judge Bibat-Palamos dated August July 25, 2023.
Villanueva also said that “all cases currently filed and pending before the first and second level courts in Makati City should continue to be tried, heard, and decided by the said courts.”
Certeza again lambasted the Taguig government for allegedly failing to adhere to the rule of law as they launched the annual Brigada Eskwela at Makati Science High School and visited Fort Bonifacio Elementary School and Fort Bonifacio High School—all of which are located in the disputed land.
“Their unlawful entry in our public schools without securing the necessary legal processes clearly demonstrates a lack of respect for established procedures and the principle of jurisdiction,” he added.
He also urged Taguig to “adhere to the rule of law to avoid confusion among parents and students and unnecessary tension in barangays affected by the SC decision.”
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Certeza warned that Makati City may slap criminal and administrative charges against Taguig “for its unlawful attempt to take possession of properties owned by Makati.”
Meanwhile, on the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body can easily transfer Makati’s database to Taguig.
However, the Comelec would still need to coordinate with other government agencies to ensure the smooth flow of elections in the cities.
“Naghihintay lang tayo ng latest update sa Supreme Court. Ang Comelec ay magbibigay ng kanyang final plan of action by next week.” Garcia said.
[Translation: We’re just waiting for the latest update from the Supreme Court. The Comelec will issue its final plan of action by next week.]
