A Baguio court has junked another injunction application filed by several CJH Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) sub-lessees for failing to prove that they are indeed “non-parties” to the arbitration that should be excluded from the government’s efforts to fully recover the 247-hectare Property in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
Branch 3 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court (RTC) denied the application for temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction filed by CJHDevCo sub-lessees to block the implementation of the arbitral award mandating the return of the 247-hectare Camp John Hay property, together with all the improvements and permanent structures, to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), without exceptions.
This comes after the denial by Baguio RTC Branch 79 of an earlier application filed by a separate group of foreign nationals in Camp John Hay for the same relief.
According to the court order issued on 06 February 2025, petitioners were found to have acquired their rights from CJHDevCo, being its sublessees.
Hence, even if they were not made parties to the arbitration, they are bound by the Arbitral Award considering that they derive their rights from CJHDevCo, who is a party to the arbitration.
The court said the petitioners therefore failed to prove that they have a clear legal right to be excluded from the implementation of the reinstated Writ of Execution and Notice to Vacate.
“The BCDA lauds the Baguio RTC and other law enforcement entities for continuously upholding the rule of law and protecting the government’s rights over Camp John Hay. This development proves what we have been saying all along—that the blame on the government, which is simply following the final ruling of the Supreme Court, is misdirected. We hope this gives way to productive dialogue with the claimants so we can discuss possible solutions regarding their claims,” said BCDA Chairperson Atty. Hilario B. Paredes.
On 03 April 2024, the Supreme Court invalidated a 2015 Court of Appeals ruling that nullified the Writ of Execution issued by Branch 6 of Baguio RTC and the Notice to Vacate issued by the court’s Ex-Officio Sheriff insofar as persons claiming rights over improvements in Camp John Hay are concerned.
In its 22 October 2024 Resolution, the Supreme Court denied with finality the motions for reconsideration filed by CJHDevCo and intervenors who attempted to delay the implementation of the Supreme Court decision.
All those who are affected by the ruling are encouraged to reach out to the BCDA to discuss reasonable concerns within the bounds of the law. They may contact the BCDA Help Desk via email at cjhhelpdesk@bcda.gov.ph or phone via (+63) 962 534 9397 or (+63) 954 976 8295.
