Despite the Court’s decision, BCDA has worked with cheated on negotiating new housing agreements

Baguio City, the Philippines-A Baguio Court has denied a new attempt from the More Laster of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDEVCO) to stop the full recovery of the property 247 hectares of BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which amplifies the Arrstify The Art Porting the finality in a landmark Supreme Court’s decision.

In a decision issued on Wednesday, February 5, Branch 79 in Baguio rejected the Regional Trial Court (RTC) an application from several foreign citizens seeking a temporary restriction order (faith) against branch 6 in Baguio RTC and the court’s ex-officio-sheriff. The petitioners had been aimed to stop the enforcement of the arbitration’s final award, which requires the return of Camp John Hay and all its improvements to BCDA.

Following the court’s decision, the BCDA chairman Hilario Paredes emphasized that the decision confirms the authority in the rule of law and warned of misleading claims that may encourage further resistance.

“This development sends a strong message to all stakeholders to respect the rule of law,” Paredes said. “We thank the dedicated officers at Baguio Regional Trial Court and our law enforcement partners who continue to tirelessly and vigorously execute our laws.”

Paredes also encouraged interested parties to control their claims against the units with which the signed contracts, which means that CJHDEVCO, not BCDA, is responsible for the tendency of the underless.

The latest legal challenge comes after the BCDA resumed the enforcement of the final arbitration allocation on January 6, 2025, when the Baguio-Sheriff issued deportation messages to CJHDEVCO, its tenants and cheers.

The Supreme Court had already decided the long -term legal dispute on April 3, 2024, when it invalidated an appealed court in 2015, which attempted to exempt third parties from the execution and messages to lead issued by branch 6 in Baguio RTC.

In its last October 2024, the Supreme Court maintained the final award, which makes it clear that all improvements within Camp John Hay must be returned to BCDA without exception. This included properties owned or occupied by third parties, which the court decided was covered during the original lease between BCDA and CJHDEVCO.

The court’s decision directly affects private unit owners and sub-solutions who had bought or rented home and Condotel units within Camp John Hay and believed they had valid long-term contracts. Many of these buyers, including foreign citizens, claim that they were innocent buyers in good faith, unaware of the legal disputes between BCDA and CJHDEVCO.

CJHDEVCO, led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña, entered into a 25-year lease with BCDA in 1996 to develop Camp John Hay into a main ecotourism and investment hub. However, the developer failed to fulfill his financial obligations, which led to lease agreements, arbitration and eventually deportation orders.

In a statement on Thursday, February 6, CJHDEVCO continued to claim that unit owners and investors would not be affected by the cancellation of the lease with BCDA. The company claimed that BCDA actively encouraged public investments in Camp John Hay and that buyers had built their homes in good faith.

CJHDEVCO further argued that the Supreme Court never ordered the draft of legal property owners and claimed that BCDA would compensate for unit owners if forced to lead.

Despite the Court’s decision, BCDA has worked with cheated on negotiating new housing agreements. On February 5, 2025, BCDA announced that it had already signed over 40 fresh housing rents in forest goods, country homes, golf farms and forest houses.

BCDA’s President and CEO Joshua Bingcang insured stakeholders that the agency is open to dialogue and fair negotiations.

“We want to assure all stakeholders that BCDA is here to facilitate this transition of the lead in Camp John Hay,” Bingcang said. “With the support of our private partners and Baguio City government, we work to improve facilities and services, protect the natural environment, create employment opportunities and ultimately strengthen the local community.”

BCDA has also announced that it is reviewing Camp John Hays Masterplan with the goal of adapting future development to the UN sustainable development goals (SDG).

When the judicial battle for Camp John Hay ends, questions remain about displaced unit owners and the future.

BCDA has offered new leases but has not recognized the validity of previous contracts issued by CJHDEVCO. At the same time, CJHDEVCO has continued to insist that unit owners should be compensated or allowed to remain in their properties.

With BCDA, which drives forward with its rebuilding plans, unit owners must now decide whether to accept new leases or implement additional remedies.

At the moment, the courts have spoken, and BCDA remains in full control of Camp John Hay. Whether a final compromise can be reached remains to be seen. – Rappler.com