Makati to appeal Pasig court ruling awarding disputed areas to Taguig

The Makati City government has appealed the ruling of a Pasig City court that recently awarded jurisdiction over several contested areas in Fort Bonifacio to the City of Taguig.

In a text message to the Inquirer, city legal counsel Kenneth Dasal said Wednesday that the Makati government had also reiterated its appeal for the judge in charge of the case, Pasig Regional Trial Court Judge Leili Cruz Suarez of Branch 153, to inhibit herself because of her alleged links with a former Taguig mayor.

“Last year, Makati asked Judge Suarez to inhibit [herself] because of her past association with now Taguig Rep. [Freddie] Tiñga. She issued a ruling dated Nov. 28 denying the motion …” Dasal said.

Under Suarez’s ruling, Makati will lose to Taguig seven barangays (villages) situated around Fort Bonifacio.

These are Barangays Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Comembo, Pembo and Pitogo.

According to Makati information officer Joey Salgado, the city was merely reiterating its long-standing claim on the area.

He said the jurisdictional dispute, which has spanned nearly two decades, was not just about losing voters or even internal revenue allotments (IRA).

“Our claim is founded on historical records,” Salgado told the Inquirer in a phone interview as he pointed out that the seven barangays consisted of a part of Makati’s second district.

As for the city’s share of the IRA, Makati is not dependent on allocations from the national government since it generates funding through internal means such as taxes and economic activities, he said.

Suarez’s decision upheld a ruling issued by Judge Briccio Ygana, who retired in July last year.

His decision awarded to Taguig jurisdiction over the 200-hectare Bonifacio Global City complex, as well as portions of Fort Bonifacio, where the affected barangays are located.