Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III plans to file a motion with the Supreme Court to suspend the transfer of ten barangays from Taguig to Makati until their own case is resolved.
It has been eleven years since Pateros filed Case 73387-TG at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 271 (on March 27, 2012) against Makati and Taguig to decide their claims over Parcel 4 of the disputed territory.
The claim seeks a "judicial declaration that Parcel 4 of Survey Plan Psu-2031, comprising about 766 hectares and partly occupied by respondents Makati and Taguig, is within the territorial jurisdiction of Pateros."
In April, the Supreme Court granted Pateros' petition to re-study the case and ordered the Pasig RTC to revive Civil Case No. 73387-TG, in which Pateros wishes to reclaim what they believe to be their land from Taguig and Makati.
The Supreme Court statement reads, "The finality of G.R. Number 235316 does not constitute res judicata in any of its three concepts as to foreclose Pateros' right to pursue its claims."
"Our case is very much alive. We are just waiting for the regional trial court's order to start presenting evidence," said Ponce, who is also a lawyer.
According to Ponce, if history is the judge, Pateros originally covered 1,040 hectares but now only encompasses 168 hectares. He stated that Fort Bonifacio and EMBO barangays were established as military installations during American rule.
"This land was taken from local governments, and a large area was taken from us. The problem is when it was returned, it was not given back to the right authorities," Ponce added.
If the Supreme Court grants their motion, Ponce said there will be a status quo and the barangays of Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, and parts of Fort Bonifacio will temporarily remain under Makati administration.
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"About our aid, we are living peacefully and prosperously here in Pateros despite our small income that we strive with to provide local services to our town. If we expand, I think we can improve further and share this not only with Pateros residents but also with the territories we could cover," Ponce concluded.
(Photos from Pateros Municipal Government and a concerned citizen)
