QC RTC issues injunction on Mikee Romero’s control over Harbour Centre

A Quezon City court has stopped 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Michael Romero from claiming ownership of his family-owned Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI).

In an order dated January 5, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 222 Judge Edgar Santos issued a writ of preliminary injunction against Romero and his affiliates, enjoining them from acting on behalf of HCPTI as shareholders or members of the board of directors of the Manila North Harbor Port Inc.

Romero's father, construction magnate Reghis Romero II earlier sued the first-term lawmaker and sports patron for allegedly falsifying ownership of the port facility.

In its order, the court said it was inclined to believe that the 2011 deeds of assignments—which were used by the lawmaker to represent themselves as the rightful majority shareholders—were forged.

“Such infirmities create serious doubt at this stage as to the authenticity of the said deeds. In view thereof, the Court deems at this stage that plaintiffs R-II Builders Inc. and R-II Holdings Inc. (of Reghis Romero), as the majority holders prior to the execution of the deeds of assignment, have established clear rights to be protected,” the order stated.

“Plaintiffs R-II Builders Inc. and R-II Holdings Inc. should, at this stage of the proceedings, be deemed as the majority holders of Harbour Terminal, whose rights would be greatly prejudiced if the defendants (Michael Romero et. al) would not be restrained from representing themselves as such pending the resolution of the main case," it added.

For the injunction to take effect, the court ordered the elder Romero's camp to post a bond worth P700 million within 10 days from receipt of the order.

GMA News Online already sought the younger Romero's side but he has yet to reply as of this posting time. —Virgil Lopez/NB, GMA News