CA gags Taguig, Makati on BGC dispute

Officials of the cities of Taguig and Makati may have ceased trading accusations and counteraccusations in public following the declaration of a ceasefire between their camps earlier this month but just to be sure, the Court of Appeals has imposed a gag order on both parties.

In a resolution dated Sept. 13, the appellate court’s Sixth Division ordered the two sides to refrain from discussing their claim to Fort Bonifacio, including the revenue-rich Bonifacio Global City, pending the resolution of the property dispute.

The resolution penned by Associate Justice Connie Gonzales-Sison said it was “not oblivious to the comments, disclosures and statements before the media and the public’’ coming from the two camps.

“Verily to protect the integrity and independence of this Court that are essential in the orderly and effective dispensation and administration of justice, the parties, their counsels and the witnesses are hereby ordered to refrain from making public comments on all matters that are subjudice, otherwise they would be cited for indirect contempt by this tribunal,’’ it added.

A word war broke out between Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano after the appellate court ruled on July 30 that the seven barangays under dispute were under the jurisdiction of Makati, not Taguig, effectively ending a 20-year-long dispute.

In its resolution, the court also said that the petition filed by Taguig for Sison to inhibit herself from the case was deemed submitted for resolution.

Taguig had questioned Sison’s impartiality since her husband ran for councilor in May under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party. One of UNA’s leaders is Vice President Jejomar Binay, the younger Binay’s father.

At the same time, the court asked Makati to comment within 10 days on Taguig’s motion for the court to reconsider its July 30 decision.