NCCA, Knights of Rizal hail SC order stopping Torre de Manila construction

The National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the International Order of the Knights of Rizal welcomed the Supreme Court's order stopping further construction of the controversial Torre de Manila.

The high court on Tuesday granted the Order of the Knights of Rizal's petition for a temporary restraining order against the construction of the 46-storey condominium that mars the vista or visual corridors of the Rizal Monument in Luneta.

The International Knights of Rizal hailed the issuance of the temporary restraining order despite the strong opposition from other sectors, according to Michael Charleston Chua, spokesperson for the fraternal and cultural group.

"This is not just a beautiful birthday tribute to our national hero, but a gift to the future generations who will benefit in the preservation of the visual corridor of our national monument and landmark," Chua added.

The NCCA was also "grateful and relieved that while the case is before the SC, there will be no further damage to the cultural heritage," said Trixie Cruz-Angeles, legal counsel for the commission.

The NCCA will monitor the compliance of the property's developer, DMCI Homes, with the court order while preparing for the oral arguments before the SC on June 30, according to Cruz-Angeles.

The high court also gave the NCCA five days to submit an explanation for a cease and desist order that the commission had issued against the construction of Torre de Manila. — Keith Richard Mariano/BM, GMA News