Court orders Makati to turn over EMBO facilities to Taguig

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Taguig Regional Trial Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) prohibiting the Makati City government from denying the Taguig City government access to and taking possession of public facilities in the disputed EMBO areas.

In a ruling dated May 5, Executive Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan said the TRO was effective for 72 hours.

“The court finds that plaintiff has sufficiently established extreme urgency for the present application, and that it stands to suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury without the injunctive relief prayed for,” Datahan wrote in a 21-page document.

The court order covers government facilities across the EMBO villages, namely, Barangay Cembo, Barangay South Cembo, Barangay East Rembo, Barangay West Rembo, Barangay Pembo, Barangay Rizal, Barangay Pitogo, and Barangay Comembo.

The facilities range from health centers, covered courts, multi-purpose buildings, day care centers, parks, and other government properties for public use.

Taguig local officials were set to reopen the health centers on Wednesday, May 7.

In January 2024, Makati said it closed the health facilities due to the expiry of licenses to operate, with EMBO residents losing their access to subsidized health care. Taguig then offered teleconsultations to affected residents.

Re-electionist Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said the development was a “success” for EMBO residents.

“Ngayong nasa Taguig na ang pamamahala ng lahat ng pasilidad na ito, titiyakin nating bukas at ganap na mapapakinabangan ito ng mga taga-EMBO - hindi isasara, hindi haharangan, kundi pagbubuksan para sa serbisyong noon pa man ay dapat nilang napapakinabangan,” Cayetano was quoted in Taguig’s statement.

Meanwhile, the Makati local government said it will “avail of all legal remedies, whether criminal, civil or administrative, to uphold its rights and hold Taguig and its irresponsible leaders accountable.”

“We reiterate, the Supreme Court decision was about jurisdiction, not ownership over lots,” Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said.

“Makati expressed willingness to sit down and have a dialogue with Taguig, but they refused,” she claimed.

In December 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation is within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City. It became final and executory in September 2022.

The area is where the financial district Bonifacio Global City and the EMBO barangays are located.

Voters in EMBO areas will be participating in a national election under Taguig for the first time on May 12.