BAGUIO CITY – Former Mayor and Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan lashed out at the State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for banning three members of the former Camp John Hay Golf Club, Inc. that included him for their alleged failure to withdraw the case filed against the former.
Domogan, who had been a staunch supporter of BCDA during his terms as mayor and lone district representative, pointed out that the primary purpose of the case is for the protection of the security of the members of the golf club, no more, no less, because the BCDA cannot provide them with a definite reply on the matter.
“We do not object to the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling on the dispute between the BCDA and the Camp John Hay Development Corporation but what we are fighting for is the security of the members of the golf club,” Domogan stressed.
Earlier, the BCDA Board of Directors banned Domogan, lawyer Federico Mandapat, Jr. and Engr. Marciano Garcia from playing in the CJH golf course until further notice, asserting that playing in the golf course is a privilege and is not a matter of right.
As of press time, Garcia reportedly withdrew from the case that they filed against the BCDA.
It asserted that BCDA, as owner of the property, has the right and discretion to allow or deny any person from playing, and to exclude any person from its premises.
Domogan admitted having personally discussed the matter with BCDA Chairman Hilarion Paredes where the latter assured him that the caddies and employees will be absorbed but as far as the members of the golf club, is concerned, the BCDA has no definite answer on their security which is the purpose of the case that was filed in court.
The former mayor and congressman asserted that the members were able to contribute to the development of the golf course, which is now being described as one of the best golf courses in the country, and that they deserve their security with the takeover of the property from the evicted private developer.
He branded the ban as unfair and unjust because what they are fighting for is for the security of the members who have their stakes on the golf club.
On the other hand, many observers claimed that the imposition of the ban against selected personalities contradicts the previous announcement from the BCDA that the club is open to the public, saying that the State corporation must uphold its commitment that the facilities will be open to the public.
Earlier, the BCDA took over the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ) following the service of the notice to vacate and writ of execution by the city’s Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation, to turnover the premises to the government.
The service of the notice to vacate stemmed from the decision of the Makati-based Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) that ordered the developer to turnover to BCDA the leased premises without encumbrances as far as practicable and for BCDA to reimburse to the developer P1.4 billion in paid lease rentals over the years.
Last January 6, 2025, BCDA took over the property and tapped two companies of the Metro Pacific Investment Corporation to manage the various facilities on an interim basis for a period of one year renewable for another two years prior to the enforcement of a long-term lease over the said properties. By HENT
