Rejoice as Camp John Hay’s Returns

BCDA and Its President, Arnel Casanova Rejoice as Camp John Hay’s Returns to the Government’s Custody

An ounce of despair has apparently been shed in relation with the never ending case of Camp John Hay’s safekeeping. 

With the help of an arbitration court which was formed to resolve the ongoing disagreement over Camp John Hay, the Sobrepena group were then commanded to return the ex-American military base camp to the Philippine government. 

This news came out as no surprise because BCDA’s rivals have almost conceded to them after the its President, Arnel Casanova, unleashed a series of clever but tainted tactics in order to get a better hold of the camp.

According to a statement released by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), February 11, 2015 was the date when a negotiating panel ordered the Sobrepena-owned Camp John Hay Development Corporation to (CJHDevCo) to surrender the soon to be constructed economic zone to the government, much to the delight of BCDA.

Most people are leaning more towards CJHDevCo.’s side. It may be sad to admit but the Sobrepena-led group indisputably made a couple of lapses too. 

First, CJHDevCo. Has failed to pay the government owned BCDA lease rental which bloated to an amount of P3.4billion, wherein 25% of the collected payment was supposed to be handed to the local government of Baguio.

Atty. Mario E. Valderrama, the head of the said arbitration panel said: "Since it cannot be determined which of the parties first violated the 2008 RMOA, such is hereby deemed extinguished due to the mutual breach of the same by both parties,"

In addition to that, Valderrama also said that the termination by respondent of the original lease agreement is hereby confirmed in view of the breach of the same by claimant: the claimant is ordered to vacate the leased premises and promptly deliver the leased property, inclusive of all new constructions and permanent improvements introduced during the term of the lease as reckoned from the execution of the original lease agreement to respondent in good and tenantable condition in all respects, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

To make things worse, co-arbitrator Teodoro Kalaw IV also urged the CJHDevCo. to pay the long overdue rentals amounting to P2, 406, 140, 525. 

CJHDevCo. have a had a somewhat bad track record when it comes to being committed to pay for the rentals of the claimants. Three years ago, BCDA terminated the rent of CJHDevCo over a portion of Camp John Hay Economic zone due to the latter’s inability to settle its lease payments. 

July of the same year, the Baguio City Regional Trial Court commanded both CJHDevCo. and BCDA to be involved in an arbitration to finally settle the dispute through Philippine Dispute Resolution Center.

Going back to the much celebrated news, well at least for BCDA, its President, Arnel Paciano Casanova said that they perceive this as a victory for the government. 

They also said that it is now a great chance to return the camp to the government so that it can now be developed into something which the public will surely benefit greatly from.