Cayetano hits DMCI for ‘ruining’ Luneta skyline

Senator Pia Cayetano, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture says DMCI Holdings can’t claim good faith in constructing the Torre de Manila building, which supposedly ruins the sightline of the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Cayetano says DMCI should have questioned the Revised Zoning Permit issued to the company by the Manila City government in 2014, since there was a resolution filed that questioned its validity.

In 2012, DMCI was granted a permit for only a 7-storey condominium. She adds, DMCI should pay for the consequences of its actions.

“There is clearly bad faith because from 2012 to 2014, they never had that exemption. Good faith can only mean when you acquired your title, there was no flaw thaw that you were aware of,” Cayetano says.

She insists, the 46-storey building violates an existing city ordinance on floor to area ratio.

But Cayetano clarifies she is not against developing Manila, as long as it does not compromise historical landmarks. She explains, even Washington D.C. and Paris require that no other structure should be higher than historical monuments.

“I’m not saying that Manila should not develop. But do you have to develop right at the smack of the Rizal Monument? A guest during the hearing said Manila shouldn’t try to be what Makati and Taguig is. Talahib ang Makati at Taguig dati, but Manila has been Manila for a long time,” Cayetano said.

Meantime, a Manila City Councilor says filing a case against DMCI, the developer of Torre de Manila, would be difficult since it owns the property where the project is being constructed.
Councilor Joel Chua explains, DMCI has complied with requirements to be exempted from a Manila Zoning Ordinance, while the National Historical Commission had also given its blessing since the project was outside the boundary of the Rizal Monument.
Chua also says suing DMCI would send a bad signal to other investors.
“If you are an owner of a parcel of land, you can build anything beyond and, on surface. You can only invoke that the builder is in bad faith, as per the Civil Code, if you are not the owner of the property. Right now, I think it would be bad precedent if mayor will ultimately decide adverse to the DMCI without legal basis,” Chua says.
Chua adds, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s stance is pro-business: “Based on Mayor’s policy, he is pro-business. Naghahabol po kami sa mga utang namin. They can always file a TRO for them to stop building. It is the Supreme Court who can stop them.”