Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. face the press after a 15-minute closed-door meeting held in the former鈥檚 office following Binay鈥檚 surprise visit to the Taguig City Hall. NI脩O JESUS ORBETA
Though both agreed to disagree on the issue of jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr. were one in calling for a ceasefire between their warring personnel on Monday.
鈥淲e both appeal to our people, our constituents: Let us not be carried away by our emotions. We are showing this morning that we, the leaders, are in agreement that violence is not the solution. We appeal to our employees: Let us not use force. We will not allow that,鈥� Binay said in a joint press conference with Cayetano.
His sentiments were echoed by Cayetano who expressed optimism that the issue of police control over Fort Bonifacio would also be resolved soon.
鈥淣ow that the public has seen that we are in agreement over peace and order in the said area, the police will follow suit. Let us also leave them to discuss it among themselves. No one wants trouble,鈥� she said.
The two officials sat down to discuss the escalating tension between their personnel during a 15-minute closed-door meeting held at Cayetano鈥檚 office. This was after Binay made a surprise visit to the Taguig City Hall a day after Cayetano reached out to him and called for a truce.
The ties between the two local governments have been strained lately following the Court of Appeals鈥� ruling on July 30 to award jurisdiction over seven barangays (villages)鈥攊ncluding the revenue-rich Bonifacio Global City (BGC)鈥攖o Makati City.
During their brief meeting, both mayors agreed to leave the issue of jurisdiction over the disputed area to the courts.
鈥淢ayor Lani and I have agreed that we will always disagree on that so we鈥檝e already accepted the fact that the case is in the Court of Appeals and we will respect each other鈥檚 decision or any relief to be taken by our lawyers,鈥� Binay said.
At least three clashes have occurred in the disputed area between the two cities鈥� personnel since the July 30 ruling, leading to both sides threatening to file charges against the other.
On this, Binay commented: 鈥淲e agreed that cases filed by Makati would go on and those that would be filed or had been filed by Taguig would also be allowed to take their natural course.鈥�
He added that during their discussion, he broached to Cayetano a revenue-sharing scheme or the possibility of Taguig dropping its claim to the disputed area in exchange for Makati imposing a tax moratorium in BGC for several years.
Cayetano, however, seemed cool to the idea although she admitted that she had yet to discuss the offer with other officials. 鈥淭his is something that can鈥檛 be resolved in a meeting. This is something that Taguig will not immediately accept because our council and our legal team have a strong argument,鈥� was all she had to say on the matter.
Binay, meanwhile, said that at the end of the day, 鈥渨hat is important here is that the lines of communication are open,鈥� adding that he and Cayetano had exchanged phone numbers to ensure that they keep in touch.
鈥淲e are thankful that finally, this issue has been settled. I assure the public [that] there will be no more tension in Fort Bonifacio,鈥� Cayetano told the media.
Originally posted: 6:09 pm | Monday, September 9th, 2013