Taguig mayor seeks sanctions vs Makati’s Abby Binay over territorial dispute statement 

Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay (L) and Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano | PHOTOS: Official Facebook page of Abby Binay and Taguig PIO

MANILA, Philippines–Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order Makati City Mayor Abby Binay to explain why she should not be sanctioned for her statement that the territorial dispute between the two cities is up for a “hearing” despite being declared final in December 2021.

In 2021, the SC ruled that Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation (BMR), where BGC is located, belongs to Taguig and enjoined the City government of Makati to cease exercising jurisdiction over the territory.

The decision attained finality in September 2022, and the case has been enrolled in its entry of judgment.

Under court rules, a decided case’s enrollment in the SC’s Book of Entries of Judgments means the case can no longer be appealed or revised.

In a chance interview with the media recently, Binay said they received an order setting the case for a hearing.

Following Binay’s claim, Cayetano said Taguig’s legal team went to the SC on June 8, 2022, to inquire about an order or document setting the case for hearing.

But Cayetano said lawyer Warren San Jose of Taguig’s Legal Office confirmed with the staff of the SC’s Third Division, which is handling the issue, that no such order or resolution had been issued.

“While this claim turned out to be totally false, it appeared to support the social media posts about the proposed reopening of the case,” Mayor Lani said, referring to a post that Binay has spoken to ranking officials of the government for help.

She added that Binay’s camp also filed a second motion for reconsideration, considered a prohibited pleading after the case has attained finality.

“While this claim turned out to be totally false, it appeared to support the social media posts about the proposed reopening of the case,” the Taguig mayor said.

Meanwhile, Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza, in a statement, denied bringing the case to Malacañang.

“These social media posts invoked by Taguig have made outrageous and irresponsible allegations against the President, the First Lady and the Court itself. 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. Regardless, if we are asked to comment by the Supreme Court, we will file our comment,” Certeza said.

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