Slow action on case vs condo hit

A lawmaker has accused the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and Supreme Court of sitting on the public’s appeal to stop the construction of the 49-story Torre de Manila condominium which would allegedly ruin the sight line of the Rizal Monument.

“I think there is no TRO (temporary restraining order) from the SC and there is also no CDO (cease and desist order) forthcoming from the NHCP ( so there is no legal impediment for [the contractor DMCI Homes Inc.] to continue the construction, “ said Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo who hinted that Congress should also act to save the historical site.

Castelo, chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said that groups and individuals opposed to the project “have a problem” as these institutions were intent on passing the buck on the issue.

Last month, NHCP officials were castigated by lawmakers in a hearing for refusing to act on complaints against DMCI project despite mounting public protests against its adverse impact on the historical site.

NHCP officials were supposed to hold a board meeting on Nov. 22 to discuss where they should issue a CDO against Torre de Manila.

But Castelo said the matter was not taken up. “They (NHCP) can overturn it because they have the sole authority. But they are not doing it. We must be the source of pressure if this is the case. We have oversight functions,” he added.

Last September, the Knights of Rizal, a group promoting the legacy of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, asked the high court to stop the construction of the condominium.