Lawmakers: Demolish Torre de Manila once SC favors critics

The controversial Torre de Manila. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Describing Torre de Manila as a “monstrosity” and “national embarrassment,” lawmakers on Tuesday called on the developer of the controversial condo project to voluntarily demolish it should the Supreme Court issue a permanent injunction against its construction.

At a press forum, members of the House committee on Metro Manila development called on DMCI Homes Inc. to tear down the 49-story building on Taft Avenue, Manila, which critics say mars the line of sight of the Rizal Monument.

The House body is conducting an investigation following reports that money changed hands in the construction of the condominium, which is being opposed by heritage advocates since 2012, when it was still being advertised.

“We ask DMCI to voluntarily demolish the structure. Otherwise, we will be condemned for next generations to come for allowing this monstrosity,” Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe said.

“There’s no ‘Torre de Paris’ obstructing the view of the Eiffel Tower, there’s no Torre obstructing the view of the Taj Mahal in India. This is a national embarrassment… for our generation,” Batocabe added.

Last week, the high tribunal ordered work on Torre temporarily halted based on a petition filed in September last year by the Knights of Rizal (KoR).

Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez backed Batocabe’s stand, noting that KoR made an explicit request to have the building demolished if the SC ruled in their favor.

The committee chair, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, earlier said the House body would invite Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and his predecessor, Alfredo Lim, to shed light on the case.

Estrada and Lim have pointed fingers at each other on whose administration was responsible for giving permits to DMCI.

Castelo gave an assurance that his committee, which inspected the condo on June 12, would not facilitate “a blame game.”

“This is not a fault-finding investigation but is meant to aid legislation and to [give] more teeth to the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts),” he said.

It was clear based on the committee’s investigation that DMCI did not obey the NCCA order to stop construction and did so only after the high court issued the temporary restraining order, he added.

Meanwhile, the SC granted the Office of the Solicitor General’s request to reschedule its session for oral arguments on the KoR petition. Initially set for June 30, the proceedings were moved to July 21.

Solicitor General Florin Hilbay earlier said he needed more time to prepare in view of the hearings next month on the country’s arbitration case before the UN seeking to stop Chinese incursions into the West Philippine Sea. The hearings will be from July 7 to 13 at The Hague. With Tarra Quismundo