THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) asserted its administrative rights over Camp John Hay’s golf course amid disputes involving a former Baguio City mayor and other parties contesting the agency’s possession of the property.
In a statement late Tuesday, BCDA Chairman Hilario Paredes reaffirmed the government corporation’s legal mandate over the golf course, among other facilities in John Hay, invoking the Baguio Regional Trial Court sheriff’s turning over possession and control of the property to BCDA in compliance with a previous arbitral award.
Paredes stressed that BCDA fully acknowledges and respects the rights of golfers to form a club, just as BCDA expects the club and its members to uphold the rule of law. This includes the government’s ownership of the golf course, as well as BCDA’s power to allow or deny access to anyone wishing to play at the golf course.
“Unfortunately, for ex-Baguio Mayor Domogan et al., they are now a club without a golf course,” Paredes said.
BCDA on Tuesday said former Baguio City mayor Mauricio Domogan, Marciano Garcia and Federico Mandapat Jr. are temporarily “not allowed to play at the Camp John Hay Golf Course until further notice.”
The golf course was reopened to the public last week under the interim management of Golfplus Management Inc., Turfgrass Management Inc. and DuckWorld PH. BCDA Vice President Mark Torres has been appointed interim general manager following BCDA’s takeover of the estate.
The state-owned agency added it will not interfere with the affairs of the club, since there is no issue about club membership. Paredes said they remain committed to abiding by judicial processes and will await the final resolution of the case filed by Domogan and Federico Mandapat against the BCDA.
The case seeks to determine whether they, by virtue of their golf club membership, have the right to play in the golf course.
BCDA’s repossession of Camp John Hay followed a Jan. 3 order from Branch 6 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court — in which all land and improvements in the property, whether directly held by CJH DevCo, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates or occupied/held by other individuals or parties claiming rights under them, must be turned over to the BCDA immediately.
The ruling allows the BCDA to recover the Camp John Hay Golf Course, along with other areas in the property, including The Manor, The Forest Lodge, CAP Convention Center, the Commander’s Cottage and surrounding open spaces.
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