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. 

Pasay Court Rejects Estafa Case Against CHJDevCo Chairman Robert Sobreña

            Finally, CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobrepeña has been vindicated after the Pasay Rergional Trial Court junked the 1.5 billion estafa case against him filed by the Department of Justice. Bases Conservation Development Agency had accused Sobrepeña for not paying their rental in the Camp John Hay. CJH DevCo serves as the developer of the former American bases started in 1998 and since then the company made a lot of developments to the area.

            The trial court found out that their is no probable cause to pursue the case against Sobrepena. This was the reason why they thrown the case. Aside from that, the DOJ practiced a selective prosecution when they single out Sobrepena in the case. They didn’t included all members of the board of directors of CJHDevCo. BCDA also agreed to defer the rental of Camp John Hay on their lease agreement. It means that the government agency agreed to delay the payment of the rental pay. But it doesn’t mean that the developer will not pay them. There is no logic about the argument of the BCDA who charged a case against Sobrepeña.

            Sobrepena’s camp really welcomed the decision of the trial court. They proved that the truth is on their side. For them, the estaffa case is just a harrasment to their chairman. Maybe his oppenents wanted to discredit him although he is doing his job very well. Because of CJHDevCo projects, they boosted the tourism in Baguio and they had also given livelihood to the local in that province.

            For suse, BCDA President Arnel Cassanova is not happy about the decision of the Pasay trial court. He firmly believed that Sobrepeña is not doing his obligation to the government. As a matter of fact, he wanted to kick out CJH DevCo in Camp John Hay. He even claimed that the they already won over the case in against them. So, they can takeover Camp John Hay. Of course, Sobrepeña believed that it was just demoralize their camp. He said that they will fight for their rights under the law. As for now, hey will just continue their business in Camp John Hay.

The Final Decision

            The arbitration trial court in Singapore had already studied the case about the dispute between BasesConversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Camp John Hay Development Corp. regarding to the operation of Camp John Hay. Sooner or later they will release their final judgement about the case. The problem is, the BCDA President Arnel Casanova already claimed that  they already won over the case. To support his claim, his team made a press release saying that now they can takeover Camp John Hay.

            Anyway, this place is former American camp and it was converted into a tourism state from commercial, residential, recreational and ecological community. Many tourist love to go here because its offering a lot of adventure. You will find here the Tree Top Adventure, Bell House, Cemetary of Negativism, etc. The CJHDevCo already poured their funds to develop the place. They built here two world class hotels- the Manor and Forest Lodge and a lot of commercial and reacreational areas. Aside from that, the developer is protecting the nature. As a matter of fact, Camp John Hay is considered as the last sanctuary of pine trees in Baguio.

            The BCDA wanted to takeover the place from the investors for not paying their rental fee. But the investors denied it by saying that they are paying their obligation to the agency. They acquired 18 hectares, but they only operates in 4 hectares of it because BCDA is not issuing them a permit. So, how can they implement all of their plans, if they became a hinder with their operation?

            It is unfair if the BCDA will takeover all of their assets that they built. Hmm, maybe this is the reason why the agency is pushing the said takeover. Instead to push their personal interest, why don’t be cooperative to the developers. Next time, there are no investor would be interest to work with them because of their attitude. Unless they will give Camp John Hay to their allied investors. If this is the scenario, they are just serving for themselves and not to strengthen  Baguio Tourism.

            The future of Camp John Hay is will be based on the final decision of the arbirtration court. Hope that it would bring a good result; not only to one group, but also to the residence and local government of Baguio.

The Raw Statement of BCDA About Camp John Hay Issue

         The Bases Conversion Development Corp. (BCDA) headed by Arnel Casanova had made a press released that they will be taking charge of Camp John Hay in Baguio because the Court of Appeals in Baguio already made a decision favored with them. They also issued a notice to CJH Development Corp. to inform them about that decision. It means that sooner or later, they will leave Camp John Hay, they like it or not.

            CJH DevCo head Robert Sobrepeña didn’t took seriously the notice letter of BCDA. Their group firmly believed that the battle between them and the government is not yet finished. For them, this is just a dirty tactics and it is very farm from reality or just a wishful thinking of their opponent. BCDA should remember that their arbitration case in Singapore is not yet over. So, they should not make any conclusion that they already won. But whatever will be the result of the decision of the court, the CHJ DevCo is ready to accept it. As of now, they will not give it back the operation of Camp John Hay. For they already invested a lot of money to develop it. It is only natural that they will fight their rights until the end. They will just continue their job and that is to maintain their beautification project of Camp John Hay to attract more tourist. It is the problem of BCDA if they are not cooperating with them. As what the CJH DevCo knew, they contributes to the society aside from developing Camp John Hay, they are also giving a livelihood to the people of Baguio.

            The problem with our government, they are attracting investors to invest on their properties. After they get the trust of the investors, they are not giving the proper support to the private companies. This is also what happening in MRTC regarding to the MRT issues. Business partnership is a matter of give and take, but the government just want to earn money without giving consideration to the investors. Hmm, the public is wondering, do they have a personal grudge to Sobrepeña which is also a former head of MRTC? Hmm, just asking...

A Glimpse at Marikina Shoe Museum

               Every town in the country has their own landmarks like in Marikina City, one of their landmarks is the Marikina Shoe Museum that you will find in Brgy. San Roque, near in Kapitan Moy. The city is very popular with their shoe industry from now and then. As a recognition and fervent support of their local government, they established this museum in 1998.

                Marikina Shoe Museum has a small or limited space, but it has a second floor and it is full of memorabilias of famous personalities in the Philippines from the former president, vice President, government officials, celebrities, businessman and a lot more. Most of the shoes here are made of leathers but it has also a rubber shoes owned by the comedian Ariel Villasanta who is also a resident of Marikina. Of course, every shoe here has different sizes; it depends of the heights and body conformations of the personalities.  And for what I saw, the businessman tycoon John Gokongwei has a big foot.Hmm, why actress Mahal doesn’t donate her shoes? So, the museum will display it also. It could be the smallest shoes of an adult person. Joke only!

                Here in the museum, you will also see the different styles of shoes. It is not your typical shoes that you can wear from day to day basis. Maybe you can use it in any special occasion like fashion shows. The masterpieces have their own names like Sarimanok, etc. The design of a shoe designer Brian Tenorio is very unique because of its size and looks as well. If you wear this you should be careful if you don’t want to stumble while walking.

                Just a reminder, the caretakers of the museum are allowing visitors to take pictures except the shoe collection of Madame Imelda Marcos. The former first lady has more than 3,000 pair of shoes and 800 of them are becoming a display in the museum. You will be amazed with her shoes because it looks elegant. Madame Imelda was really a tall lady because the size of her shoe is 8 ½. Inside of the showcases of the shoes, Madame Imelda also have pictures with famous leaders in the world like Fidel Castro, Mao Tse Tong, Ronald Raegan, Robert Kennedy, Indira Gandhi, etc. It only shows how she was very powerful and influential lady during the regime of his husband.

                The items at the museum not only limited to shoes. They have also paintings, sofa curved like a shoe and even the statue of shoe makers. It only tells how rich the shoe industry of Marikina City.

Ongpin St.: A Business District in China Town

Binondo, Manila is the commercial center of some Filipino Chinese. They are many businesses that you can find here. You will see the rich culture of Tsinoy from foods, clothes and much more items. The most popular street is the Ongpin St.   

But not only with the Chinese blood are the costumers of Ongpin St. But also those people who want to experience the Chinese culture. This place is one of the best destination in Manila. Although the streets are not too wide and there’s always a heavy traffic.

While roaming at Ongpin Street, you will see a lot of Chinese restaurants that will fit to any budget you have. You may try how to use chopsticks when you’re eating. One of the best restaurant here is the President’s Restaurant. Their best selling products are shrimp dumplings. Sipao asado and many more. Besides restaurants, of course you can buy here original hopia where the ingredients come from China. You will also see many diffirent statues in Ongpin and one them is the dragon that symbolized about prosperity.

Ongpin is also known because there are many gold vendors here that selling pure gold. Most of their buyers are men who want to give special jewelry to their love ones. But of course, Chinese people love herbal medicines that’s why these are also available. If you want, you may find lizard powder. They said it is a medicine for those people who have asthma. But please, if there’s someone offering fake medicines. Don’t buy it because it is dangerous to our health.

Every Sunday evening, Ongpin will become a happier place because it seems there is always a party. The busy street becomes crowded. They are conducting a firework display; it seems that every Sunday is a new year.

Based on history, Ongpin St. Was named after by Don Roman Ongpin, a Chinese businessman who became an avid supporter of the guerilla group Katipunan during the Spanish revolution in 1896. He supported the group by giving financial assistant. There was also a story that he burned his own house and he gave the insurance proceeds to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Even during American occupation Don Ongpin continued his advocacy which is to support the revolution. Because of his martyrdom, they made a statue of him that you can find besides Binondo Church.