AFP intervenes vs. South Bonifacio TRO

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has asked the Supreme Court to lift the temporary restraining order it issued for the bidding of the South Bonifacio property, saying it will affect the military's modernization program. According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the AFP filed the intervention last February 21 against the case of SM Land, Inc. for the bidding of the 33.1-hectare property citing “protection of national security.” “The AFP as a direct beneficiary of the disposition of the Metro Manila Camps undertaken by the BCDA will be heavily injured by the petition to prevent BCDA from exercising its duty to dispose the Metro Manila Camps,” BCDA said, citing AFP’s intervention. The bidding for the South Bonifacio property was supposed to be held this month but was put on hold after SM Land was granted a TRO by the Supreme Court. SM Land said BCDA had no right to terminate Swiss Challenge proceedings in relation to SM’s unsolicited bid for the area. The AFP said the continued TRO is detrimental to its modernization program. The AFP is expected to receive about P3.5 billion from the public bidding. BCDA is looking for a bidder willing to enter a 55-45 joint venture that will manage and develop the property. The agency will take the minority stake. The property is located along Lawton Avenue between Newport City and McKinley Hill in the southern portion of the Bonifacio Global City. “Any delay in the generation of AFP funds can be a national security risk,” said BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Paciano D. Casanova in a statement. BCDA said a public bidding will be better for the AFP as it will provide the government with the more competitive price. — KBK, GMA News