Court urged: Confirm P1.4-B award to John Hay developer

BAGUIO CITY – The dispute between the State-run Bases Conversion Development Authority and private developer of Camp John Hay here over rentals and who has control over the former American military camp has escalated.  

A petition seeking to confirm a P1.42-billion award by the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. to Camp John Hay Development Corp., the private developer has been filed before a local court here.

In a petition filed March 6, the CJHDevCo asked the court to rule and issue a writ of execution for payment of the award by BCDA.

CJHDevCo asked the court to appoint an official who would oversee the turnover after the BCDA pays the amount.

It submitted a list of third parties holding rights over the leased property.

“BCDA is expected to continue to honor and respect all the rights and interests of third parties, such as locators, sub-lessees, unit owners, lot owners and golf club members since they acquired their interests in good faith and are not covered by the arbitral award to vacate,” said Alfredo Yniguez, CJHDevCo chief operating officer.

In a final award issued on Feb. 11, the PDRCI ruled the private developer is not liable for P3.3 billion in back rentals as claimed by BCDA,

It ordered BCDA to pay CJHDevCo P1.42 billion in damages for breach of contract, thereby returning to the private developer all rentals for the former American facility.

“The decision of PDRCI is a vindication for us, that we do not owe BCDA any rental fees,” Yniguez said.

He said the PDRCI confirmed that CJHDevCo was the aggrieved party in the case.