Sunvar to comply with court’s order to vacate Mile Long property

(Updated, 1:06 p.m.) Acting on the Aug. 14 resolution of the Court of Appeals, Judge Maryann Corpus-Manalac of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 141 ordered Tuesday Sunvar Realty Corp. to vacate the Mile Long property.

The order was served by Solicitor General Jose Calida and the court sheriff on Sunvar and other tenants of Mile Long. They were given three days from Tuesday to vacate the premises.

In its official statement, Sunvar said it will comply with the order of the Court of Appeals and that it has instructed its lawyers not to file any court pleading that may impede the execution of the earlier decision of the Metropolitan Trial Court ordering Sunvar to vacate Mile Long.

Here’s the official statement from the Sunvar Realty Corp. on the Mile Long property case:

Last Tuesday, August 15, at around 5:45 p.m., Sunvar and “all persons claiming rights under it” was served at Mile Long with a “Notice to Vacate” the premises within three days. The Notice, issued by the RTC Makati 141 (“RTC 141”), was made pursuant to a Resolution promulgated by the Court of Appeals on August 14 directing, among others, RTC 141 to enforce the 2015 Decision of the Metropolitan Trial Court of Makati Branch 61 (“MeTC Decision”) ordering Sunvar to vacate Mile Long and pay back rentals.

While Sunvar has appealed the MeTC Decision, it is committed to abiding by the legal process. In accordance with that commitment, Sunvar will comply and vacate Mile Long.

Some 35 years ago, Sunvar leased undeveloped land of the government upon the understanding, reflected in contracts annotated in the title of the land, that the lease period would expire in 2027. Sunvar paid 16.8 million as advance rentals, and expended millions more to build roads, buildings, and infrastructure to develop the property which is why it is so valuable now. Relying on the same contract and understanding, small business owners and taxpayers purchased condominium units in Mile Long that are now the source of their livelihood.

Some 35 years ago, at a time of political and economic uncertainty, Sunvar entered into a legitimate commercial transaction. It has pursued legal remedies to resist ejectment firmly believing there is a binding contractual commitment on the part of the government to honor a lease that is set to expire only in 2027. Sunvar understands that the government has taken an opposite view.

Sunvar continues to have faith in the law and legal process.