Kid Peña: No way will I give up parts of Makati to Taguig

With rumors spreading in some barangays in the city that he would give them up in a territorial dispute with Taguig City, acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña assured residents on Monday that he would not back down in the long-running issue.

The acting mayor gave the assurance to residents of Barangays (villages) Cembo, South Cembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Comembo, Pembo and Pitogo that he would “exercise all legal means to keep them part of Makati.”

Peña’s camp said his detractors have been telling residents of these barangays that the acting mayor would give them up.

“It is a baseless rumor apparently intended to confuse Makati residents and draw their attention away from the real issues that remain unanswered. Just because I have been quiet about the issue, it does not mean that I am giving up on Makati’s rightful claim over the said barangays,” Peña explained.

He added that he kept his silence for a long time because of the gag order issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) in September 2013, which prevented officials from both cities from issuing statements about the dispute.

Peña asked for the court’s leniency, noting that he felt compelled to air his side “in order to allay the fears of affected residents.”

“As a bona fide resident of Makati, I humbly acknowledge the significant contributions of these barangays to the progress and development of the city. Makati will not be the same without them,” Peña said.

The acting mayor even recognized that he got most of his votes during the 2010 and 2013 elections from these barangays.

“I appeal to the residents not to be affected by cheap tactics like this from our detractors who aim to sow intrigue rather than face the issues squarely,” Peña added.

On July 30, 2013, the CA upheld Makati’s jurisdiction over these barangays, which occupy the 729-hectare portion of Fort Bonifacio and extend to two known barangays in the city — Post Proper Northside and Post Proper Southside.

The appellate court’s decision also lifted the injunction issued by a Pasig court, which prevented Makati from exercising jurisdiction in the area.

It also ordered Taguig “to immediately cease and desist from exercising jurisdiction within the disputed area and return the same to Makati,” adding that the city was not able to prove that it indeed had claim over the area.

The city government of Taguig has, however, filed an appeal to the CA but is still awaiting its decision. Maricar B. Brizuela, Philippine Daily Inquirer