Aquino calls for ‘balanced solution’ over Torre de Manila

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said the rights of all concerned parties must be considered in coming up with a decision on the controversial construction of Torre de Manila in Taft Avenue, which blocks the view of the historical Rizal monument.

Asked about his personal take on the issue, Aquino said he as president has “sworn to faithfully execute the law of the land.”

“Somebody has to come up with a balanced solution. We really await how the courts will balance each and everyone’s rights,” Aquino said during the Meet the Inquirer Multimedia forum at the Philippine Daily Inquirer headquarters in Makati City.

READ: What Went Before: The saga of Torre de Manila

Aquino added that zoning was a mandate of the local government unit.

The ongoing oral arguments in the Supreme Court showed that the Manila City government may have committed lapses when it processed DM Consunji Inc.’s (DMCI) zoning permit despite height limits.

The National Historical Commission has also slammed the Office of the Solicitor General for reversing its position on the controversial construction of the Torre de Manila.

In January, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said in his position paper that there was no basis for the NHCP to issue a cease and desist order against the condominium’s construction, asking the Supreme Court to clear government respondents filed by the Knights of Rizal in 2014.

READ: SolGen, NHCP positions on Torre de Manila conflicted

But during the ongoing oral arguments in the high court, Hilbay said the Torre’s construction was illegal for violating constitutional provisions on heritage protection. Yuji Vincent Gonzales, INQUIRER.net/CDG