BF Gates Controversy
(An Open Letter To Mayor Jun Bernabe)
Since 1991 when I
first became your President, the
developer BF Homes Inc. (BFHI) stopped subsidizing our security guard to man
our gates.
We had no choice but to protect and secure our very
existence in this subdivision, this being private. Many of us banded
themselves together, many fenced themselves in their own neighborhoods we
now call enclaves - from one enclave there are now 72 enclaves.
The collection of fees for our subdivision maintenance
and other expenses was, therefore, necessary for us to exist. Government
never helped us with this. Neither have we received anything in return on
the Real Estate taxes that we paid to the City of Parañaque, this is
authorized under PD 957 of the subdivision act.
In 1997, certain young, bright and enterprising City
Officials converted the status of our Aguirre and El Grande from R1 to C1
and C2, meaning from residential to commercial status (one lot deep), but
not our roads because these were never turned over to the government:
meaning our roads are still private.
For our roads to be confiscated by the Local Government
it must first pass thru appropriation proceedings because the City has to
compensate us to make our roads public.
It comes, therefore, as a big surprise, why so suddenly
after many years that Mayor Bernabe cared for us, when Ordinance No. 00-15
was passed in 2000. He was the Vice-Mayor and presiding officer at that
time.
In paragraph 4 of his statement, where he claims that I
lied regarding the standing injunction up to this time, please find attached
order of the court dated August 31, 2005. The same Judge clarified his
Order, saying that the injunction still DOES EXIST. (who is now lying
Mayor Bernabe?)
On the contrary Judge Lerma clarified that there was no
finality of judgment, therefore the injunctions do exist (I think our Mayor
should send his lawyers back to school).
Paragraph 6. I did not turn over our gates. You
personally took by force and with a platoon of SWAT armed to the teeth and
couple of station policemen (what can our security guards do?)
Paragraph 7. Closing of our Elizalde gate. That was
closed for a reason; do you think I will allow our security to be
compromised? The real reason for the heavy traffic is the influx of other
vehicles coming from all places without control. And you are blaming us for
the consequence of your erroneous judgment?
Paragraph 8. All of us have apprehensions as to our
security and safety because we know for sure that we cannot rely and trust
you and your policemen and Barangay tanods to satisfy our needs. No way, Mr.
Mayor! Marami kang gulo na dapat ayusin, bakit itong maayos naman ang gusto
mong guluhin?
Paragraph 9. Please understand that your action is
illegal, full of lies and deception. Why?
1. we have a standing injunction and you violated
it.
2. you are trespassing our territory which is private
3. no amount of ordinance can change our status, unless you
appropriate the roads we bought, which is subject to appropriation
proceedings
4. you broke all the conditions in your Ordinance no. 00-15
Your irresponsible action against us will never be
forgotten by our homeowners.
We do not need your Barangay tanods to protect us.
We do not need your policemen to protect us.
Neither do we need your traffic enforcers to meddle in
our business. We have been doing alright until you barged in and destroyed
our serenity.
This is in response to the good mayors’ statement which
is full of lies and deceit. Here are some questions for the Mayor:
1. What is your business meddling in our affairs in
collecting our fees? Did you see potential in our earnings? Hindi pa
ba kayo happy sa mga collections ninyo from Baclaran?
2. Is the handful of businessmen’s’ contributions
you are favoring against 10,000 homeowners worth the trouble of our
suffering?
You do not owe us anything because our homeowners are not
supporting you on this move. We supported your election, yes, believing that
you were mature and responsible. You failed our expectations.
Never again, Mr. Mayor.
Very truly yours,
CELSO L. REYES
President, 1 September 2005