Baguio mayor denies siding with BCDA in John Hay feud

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan. (wikipedia.org photo)

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan found himself being quoted in a statement from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) but with words he did not utter.

Domogan denied ever uttering the statement issued by BCDA.

In his weekly “Ugnayang Panlungsod” (City Coordinating) program, Domogan himself told reporters he is baffled as to how such statement came out in the national press.

In a press statement issued by BCDA that may now still be found on its website, Domogan was quoted as saying “we are one in collecting the P3 billion.”

This refers to the amount given by BCDA head Arnel Casanova in his press war against Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco) wherein Casanova pushed for the collection of P3 billion of alleged unpaid rentals by CJHDevco.

CJHDevco, in a statement Thursday, insisted that it is up to date in its payments to BCDA. CJHDevco said it brought the case to BCDA for arbitration in January this year due to BCDA’s continuing defaults and breaches.

Alfredo Yniguez, CJHDevco executive vice president and chief operating officer, said CJHDevco rescinded its agreement with BCDA last year, submitting the case to arbitration as required by its contract, after BCDA continuously breached its guarantee to issue development permits.

Mayor Domogan had expressed his agreement with the decision of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Acting Presiding Judge Cecilia Dulay- Archog which ordered BCDA to submit itself to the arbitration process that CJHDevco initiated.

Domogan said instead of arbitrarily pushing for the collection of fees, BCDA must submit itself to arbitration with CJHDevco at the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, as stipulated in their contract.

The Baguio City mayor also stressed that the arbitration will detail how much CJHDevco truly owes the government.

Domogan said he is after “what is the right collectible amount based on what is legal and equitable.”

“That is precisely why the matter is subject of an arbitration,” he added.

Domogan added that the city is now finalizing its stand on issues on the Camp John Hay dispute. Copies of its position paper will be furnished both BCDA and CJHDevco and other agencies, including the Office of the President.