Eager to cash in?

Makati’s resistance is not merely a whim; it is one apparently grounded on principle.

Taguig City’s alleged attempt to “forcibly take over” 14 public schools and properties in 10 barangays, which a Supreme Court decision recently uprooted from Makati City, is a regrettable example of a government entity showing utter contempt for established legal procedures and the rule of law.

Many residents and students of the affected barangays contemptuously see Taguig as a chest-thumping, roaring gorilla trying to hastily mark its territory the way brutes and animals of the wild do it.

As pointed out by the city government of Makati, the SC decision only affirmed Taguig’s territorial claim, but it did not grant it ownership of the city properties of Makati in the area. This consideration may be too nuanced for the bright boys and girls of the Cayetano-dominated Taguig LGU as they celebrate their perceived victory in their protracted territorial tug-of-war with Makati City.

In the annals of governance, there have been instances when political and financial considerations trumped the principles of law and due process. Can there be a better example than the reported actuation of Taguig that may be tackled in schools as a contentious subject matter for political science or legal dissertations?

Why the seeming haste by Taguig in opting for a forceful takeover — a precipitous action — without waiting for the issuance of the writ of execution? Without a lawful order fleshing out the SC edict, Taguig’s high-handed action only creates unnecessary tension and anxiety among the affected communities.

It is difficult to escape the feeling that the Cayetanos of Taguig City are drooling over the potential extra money their new jurisdiction could bring in, even at the expense of proper procedure and neighborhood harmony. Makati’s resistance is not merely a whim; it is one apparently grounded on principle.

First off, there’s no debate that those schools were funded and maintained by Makati, so to the latter belongs their rightful ownership. Granting without conceding that Taguig may have jurisdiction on account of what may be a flawed SC ruling, Taguig must be made to understand that ownership and jurisdiction are not interchangeable concepts.

At the same time, Makati’s call for a calm and orderly transition should not be seen as merely a delaying tactic but as a reasonable and civil way to handle the situation. Discussion, cooperation, and adherence to the legal procedures ought to be the driving forces behind the transition.

A solution that respects the SC’s decision while ensuring the ongoing welfare of the students, teachers, and communities involved can be reached through a productive meeting between the representatives of the two cities. This approach is both practical and considerate -– qualities that are expected from responsible local governments.

To recall, the land dispute between the cities of Makati and Taguig is a long-standing one, dating back to the early 1900s. It now centers on the ownership of the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, which is now home to the BGC or Bonifacio Global City financial district.

In 2003, Taguig filed a case with the Supreme Court, claiming that the disputed area was part of its territory. Makati, on the other hand, argued that it had been the rightful owner of the area since the Spanish colonial era.

Hearing the case for years, the SC issued a decision in favor of Taguig, ruling that the disputed area had been part of Taguig since 1901, when it was established as a municipality.  The contested area, roughly 729 hectares in size, includes BGC, which hosts over 100,000 employees and generates billions of pesos in revenues each year. The area also includes several residential communities, schools, and hospitals.

All told, the SC decision will surely have a significant impact on the future of both Makati and Taguig as the latter will now be able to collect taxes from businesses and residents in the disputed area. It could also have a political impact as voters are redistributed from Makati to Taguig City, thereby affecting election dynamics, especially for local executive positions like the mayoral office.

By embracing dialogue and observing due process, the two cities can showcase the strength of democratic governance in the face of complex challenges. This case should highlight the significance of prudence and careful consideration in local governance, as decisions made in haste and driven solely by political expediency can lead to strife.

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