Muntinlupa Court Postpones Hearing on Pedestrian Walkway Lawsuit, Cites Need for More Time to Prepare Defense

Strategic Insights -

A Muntinlupa court has granted the city government's motion to postpone the hearing on a lawsuit filed by a private contractor over the construction of a P280-million elevated walkway at the Alabang viaduct. The lawsuit, filed by N.C. Tavu & Associates Corp., accuses Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, City Administrator Roberto Bunyi, and the city council of illegally rescinding a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract signed on December 5, 2006. The contractor, represented by lawyer Eduardo De Mesa, claims that the city government is unnecessarily delaying the case and has ordered the scrapping of the contract without valid reason.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Antonietta Medina of Branch 276 granted the city government's motion to postpone the hearing, citing a need for more time to prepare a defense.
  • The lawsuit was filed by N.C. Tavu & Associates Corp. over the construction of a P280-million elevated walkway at the Alabang viaduct.
  • Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, City Administrator Roberto Bunyi, and the city council are accused of illegally rescinding a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract signed on December 5, 2006.
  • The contractor claims that the city government is unnecessarily delaying the case and has ordered the scrapping of the contract without valid reason.
  • The Elevated Multi-Link Pedestrian Walkway System, also known as the "Skyway" project, is aimed at providing walkway facilities for pedestrians to cross or walk along the South Luzon Expressway, Montillano and Alabang-Zapote roads.
  • The projekt involves the construction of an 11-meter by 349 meters elevated, fully covered, and multi-access pedestrian walkway with ten stairways, ten escalators, and an elevator.
  • The contractor, N.C. Tavu, proposed the project to then-Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, San Pedro's predecessor, on November 8, 2005.
  • The Muntinlupa government and N.C. Tavu formally entered a 24-year BOT contract on December 5, 2006.
  • Under the agreement, N.C. Tavu will operate the project for a concession period of 24 years before it is transferred to the city government.

Statistics:

  • The project involves a total cost of P280 million.
  • The Elevated Multi-Link Pedestrian Walkway System is a 349 meters long elevated walkway.
  • The project involves the construction of 10 stairways, 10 escalators, and 1 elevator.
  • The project was proposed by N.C. Tavu to then-Mayor Jaime Fresnedi on November 8, 2005.
  • The Muntinlupa government and N.C. Tavu formally entered a 24-year BOT contract on December 5, 2006.
  • The project is expected to provide sidewalk vendors legal stalls to trade their wares.

Sources:

  • (PNA) -- Muntinlupa court grants city's motion to postpone hearing on P280-million walkway lawsuit, March 24, 2023.
  • (Through Asia Pulse)