Taguig asks SC to probe Binay's remarks on alleged reopening of BGC case

The Taguig City Government on Tuesday filed a manifestation asking the Supreme Court to investigate statements reportedly made by Makati Mayor Abby Binay on the alleged reopening of the case on the disputed Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

In a 6-page urgent manifestation with motion, Taguig asked the High Court to require Makati and Binay to show cause why they should not be sanctioned.

This came after Binay said in an interview that Makati received a document setting the case for a hearing. That's despite the Supreme Court already affirming with finality a December 2021 decision that ruled that BGC and other disputed areas belong to Taguig.

“Ang pronouncements ni Mayor Binay at ng Makati ay nakaka-alarma kaya gusto natin maimbestigahan at i-compel sila, no, to show cause bakit hindi sila dapat parusahan ng ating Korte sa mga iresponsableng pahayag,” Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said in an ambush interview.

(Mayor Binay and Makati City’s pronouncements are alarming. We want them to be probed and compelled to show cause why they should not be held liable.)

Cayetano said that though Makati asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling, Taguig did not receive any notice of a new hearing on the case.

In a statement City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza said this may be the first time that a petition was brought to the SC “on the basis of social media posts with dubious authorship, accuracy, and credibility.”

“They have been ignored by credible media outlets and for good reason. No right thinking lawyer would petition the High Court on the basis of these posts. Yet, Taguig, displaying unfathomable wisdom, has chosen to do so,” she added.

Despite this, the city administrator said Makati will file its comment if asked by the High Court.

Certeza said Binay is currently in London for the London Tech Week.

Meanwhile, Cayetano she said she and her legal team are ready to hold a dialogue with Binay.

“Wala pa hong pormal na paguusap ang aming kampo pero ngayong araw na ito pinapahayag ko po na ang legal team ng City of Taguig ay handang makipag usap sa legal team din ng Makati kung hindi pa ho handa si Mayor Binay sa paguusap namin na personal,” she said.

(There’s no formal dialogue between our camps, but today I am announcing that the legal team of Taguig City is ready to talk with Makati if Mayor Binay is not ready to talk with me personally.)

For its part, Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka previously said that the SC is not aware that an oral argument has been set regarding the case.

GMA News Online has also sought comment from the SC but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Cayetano expressed hope that the transition of certain areas from Makati to Taguig will take place within the year.

“Kasi bahagi po ‘yan ng pag respeto sa lahat ng kampo sa pag dedesisyon ng Korte Suprema. Kapagka lumabas ‘yung decision ng Korte Superma kailangan susunod tayo,” she said.

(Because this is a sign of respect to all camps in the decision of the Supreme Court. If the decision of the Supreme Court has been released, we should all follow.)

“So kami sa Taguig, bahagi sa pag honor namin ng decision na ‘yun ng Supreme Court ay ang pag sisiguro na tatalima na kami sa transition process at mag sisimula na kami sa transition,” she added.

(So as part of honoring the decision of the court, we will ensure that we will start the transition process.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News