HOUSES of 66 Ibaloy families in Loakan are safe from demolition… for now.
A deferment of a demolition was issued by Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday after heeding pleas from residents to see the resolution of court cases involving their claimed properties.
Ella Torcedo said the order from the mayor directs the demolition team led by City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) head Nazita Bañez and Engineer Stephen Capuyan to forgo demolition of structure until a resolution of the appeal is made by courts.
“We are very thankful for this, we are grateful that the mayor has a good heart for us,” Torcedo said.
Torcedo represents the Sufo Kessel Lot and Homeowners Association who has appealed to the local council for help in an impending demolition set this week.
Torcedo said an appeal has been made in the Supreme Court for the review of their case, which is batting for a nullification of the court rulings, which heirs of Aida Pineda and Suffo Kessel filed.
The petition hopes to sway the SC to reverse its previous ruling and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeals in 2015 and its resolution in 2016 and sustain the validity of the Certificates of Ancestral Land Claim.
The residents hope while the case for appeal is ongoing, no demolitions will take place, securing their homes and peace of mind.
The group sent a letter to Domogan, Wednesday, asking for the deferment of the demolition.
Torcedo said the petition has also been sent to the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in a final attempt to save their homes which stand in a 9 hectare lot subject to a push and pull of wits and legality.