CJHDevCo: About the Turn Over of Camp John Hay

               The Camp John Hay made a statement after they learned that the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) had released their final decision with their dispute against the Bases Conservation Development Authority (BCDA). They welcomed the arbitration court and they were happy with the result of the case. And they promised that they will comply the court’s decision, but the other  camp should also give what the court ordered.

                BCDA President Casanova had been celebrated because he believed that they won over the case because the court ordered to CJHDevCo that they should turn over Camp John Hay to the government. Yes, it is true that they will get what they want. But the true winner here is the CJHDevCo. The PDRCI had rejected their claimed  that the developer should pay their back rental since 1996 to the government which has a total amount of 3.3 billion pesos due to breach of contract. The court cleared CJHDevCo from any liabilities. It means that they don’t have debts with them. Instead, the court ordered to BCDA that they should pay 1.42 billion pesos to the developer as a damage.

                According to CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobrepena they will cooperate with BCDA for a peaceful transition of Camp John Hay. Provided, they should pay them first 1.42 billion pesos as what the court ordered. No installment basis; they should pay that full amount. But as of now they can continue their business operation in Camp John Hay as long the BCDA doesn't pay them. Writ of execution from the arbitration court is also needed before they turn over Camp John Hay with them.

                Sobrepena gave his assurance to their buyers, locators and sub-lesses that their rights and interest in Camp John Hay will be protected under the law.  For they got permission from the BCDA to operate their business within the area. CJHDevCo Chairmain said that they should not be involved with their trouble with the government agency.

                Now that the court had made their final decision, the locals of Baguio are hoping that the problem in Camp John Hay will be resolved immediately. But it would not happen in an instant without the cooperation of the BCDA. Their camp was already rejoiced with the court decision, but they didn’t tackle their debt to CJHDevCo. Hope that they will pay the investor in the near future. So, the both camp can move on...

What Will be the Future of Camp John Hay Without CJHDevCo?

                The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) had already released their decision regarding to the case between Bases Conservation Development Authority (BCDA)and Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo).

                Based on the decision of the PDRCI, they can’t determine who violated first the 2008 RMOA, is it the BCDA or the CJHDevCo? Hence, the court decided that the private developer should not pay the 3.4 billion demands of the BCDA from CJHDevCo for their unpaid rental. The court also ordered BCDA that they should back the rental fee that the CJHDevCo had been paid to them. What a brilliant decision of the court! The sad thing is the developer need to evacuate the Camp John Hay.

                CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobprena accepted the decision of the PDRCI with no bitterness. He hopes that BCDA would follow the order of the court to pay them. He was very happy because the court rejected the demand of the BCDA Arnel Casanova that their group should pay their rental fee. This man was also the one who filed against Sobrepena an esrafa case in Pasay Trial Court, but the court had already cleared him in that case.

                In the first place, representatives from BCDA granted the request of Sobrepena that they will be delayed in their rental payment because they had faced problems during that time. They had no intention not to pay their obligation to the government. What they had been asked to the BCDA that time was they will pay their rental gradually.

                As an observer, I think the government let CJHDevCo would continue their business in Camp John Hay. Why? The group made a lot of contribution to the beautification of the former American bases. They built a lot of facilities and develop some recreational areas. Hence, many local got a livelihood because of their effort. Then, they planted trees around the vicinity of Camp John Hay. Before they manage the place, the number of the trees there was only 250,000. Under their management they planted 230,000 trees. If we will compute, it has a total of 480,000 trees. Is that amazing?

                Sobrepena has a request; he hopes that BCDA would not evict the leasers there. Let them to continue their business within the area. Then, protect all the trees that they took care for 19 years. Casanova is still not answering to the appeal of Sobrepena. If the CJHDevCo vacate the Camp John Hay, is BCDA ready to manage the place? Do they have a concrete plan how they operate it? If nothing, how they can handle it properly? There is a tendency that they will lose money because of their negligence.

                 I think the CJHDevCo is just a victim of politicking here. He became a victim of Casanova who portrays as a protector of the people the Baguio. Is this all about money or what? Instead to solve the problem in Camp John Hay, he aggravated Sobrepena for throwing him a lot of negative issues. There was also a time that BCDA didn’t release a business permit at the right time. Now, maybe Casanova is laughing because they won the case over CJHDevCo. But he should remember that the fight is not yet finished. They need to comply with the decision of the court before the group of Soprena leave the Camp John Hay.