Manila Condos and Properties: Arnel Casanova

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Shattered Dreams

Camp John Hay is supposed to be a retirement haven for relatives and descendants of American soldiers who fought for our country during World War II, Filipino investors, OFWs and foreign retirees. A place where every person who wants to enjoy peace solemnly can dwell.

All of these hopeful whims were shattered all thanks to Mr. Arnel Casanova and his smutty BCDA (Bases Conversion Development Authority). Instead of landing into what is intended to be a dreamland, these Camp John Hay third parties were pestered and oppressed by the aforementioned government group.

These third parties have leased properties inside the camp for 50 years from Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo.), its developer. These gloomy leaseholders and now on the verge of being expelled by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) from their homes where they invested their hard earned millions at.

However, the court still holds the last say whether they will be in favor of dislodging these occupants or they will be allowed to retain their invested properties.

It is CJHDevCo who was initially tapped to make significant developments of Camp John Hay and make it a more tourist friendly destination. They were tasked to do the rehabilitation and makeover of the former American recreational area when they won the bidding and got the contract awarded to them. Unfortunately, BCDA entered the scene lavishly delaying and denying the issuance of permits to CJHDevCo’s hence, the shambling of the developer’s work schedule occurred.

When the arbitration tribunal’s decision was released, renewed hopes for settlement and reconciliation brimmed inside the camp. The tribunal mandated that CJHDevCo must return the camp to the BCDA only if, they manage to pay their P1.4 billion rent to the developer.

Consequently, the tribunal also ruled out the P3 billion debt that BCDA is claiming CJHDevCo owes them. The tribunal also excluded the third parties who subleased their properties for 50 years from being subjected to put up with the verdict.

Here comes the atrocious antics of Casanova, he purportedly included the third parties in the conflict and even wanted to expel them from the camp. They are now squeezing tightly the third parties and wresting them to sign some prejudicial deed of assignments. BCDA urges them to admit that they have no right to stay there and that they should transfer their ownership rights to BCDA via power of attorney.

Here’s an evenly more amazing condition set by BCDA: they want the third party to sign an agreement to future unspecified terms. Come on, that is without a doubt, auspicious on the part of BCDA. To add insult toinjury, BCDA also wanted the third parties to testify against CJHDevCo. in any court hearings.

They also want every hearings to be conducted exclusively by a court in Taguig City, and never in Baguio City. There might be a solid reason behind that. Casanova and BCDA established a highly urbanized Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and have generated skyrocketing revenue for the city so it will not be pretty much surprising if the Taguig City court will favor them over its rivals. Now that’s a classic Arnel Casanova move for you.

On Arnel Casanova's reputation

Arnel Paciano Casanova's triumphant career expedition has been well documented. He is one of those exemplary individuals having a Cinderella-story like of life. He is academically exceptional. Combine that with his outstanding gregarious negotiation skills and you are going to have an almost perfect leader like him. That's what most of his supporters believe he is.

This guy from Padre Garcia, Batangas has now emerged into one of the most prominent personalities in the Philippines. Given the fact that he is a famed lawyer, he is also the president and chief executive officer of the government-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

BCDA aims to develop the economic growth of the country, something which Casanova is known of. He developed the former army camp in Fort Bonifacio into a fully developed and urbanized business district which is now giving Ayala and Ortigas centers a run for their money.

According to him, BCDA plans to build more urbanized areas and business districts around the country in order for us to attain a flourishing economy.

While his proposals seem to look good on paper, his anomalous actions toward Camp John Hay Development Authority (CJHDevCo) proves that there's some kind of a malevolent intention behind Casanova's deceiving tactics.

Camp John Hay claims may be brought about by possible billion-peso projects once it materializes.

CJHDevCo together with locators and sub-lesses of the former American bases are continuously being harrased by Casanova and his men. Despite of the decision made by Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) claiming that CJHDevCo must first receive a payment amounting to 1.4 billion pesos from the government before turning the camp over to the administration.

Here comes the sad part, Casanova is extremely reluctant to comply with PDRCI's orders but is still keenly pursuing to surmount Camp John Hay. Allegedly, he also threatened the third parties like locators and sub-less despite of the given memo that they shouldn't be involved in the said conflict since they are paying their respective rental fees.

CJHDevCo even filed a Judicial Confirmation before the Regional Trial Court of Baguio to persuade the decision of the arbitration court. It also shows how dedicated they are towards acting in accordance with the law.

More often than not, Casanova's reputation undeniably took a major hit due to these types of accusations. This only proves that even a poor person with humble beginnings can still be transformed into a fierce tyrant when greed and money take over.

Casanova, BCDA must learn to be fair

Arnel Casanova and the BCDA team threatens all locators, units owners and sub-lessees at Camp John Hay. Specially those who had entered into contracts with the Camp John Hay Development Co to enter into a Deed of Assignment with BCDA and sue CJHDevco.

But it was the Arbitration Board who said that the BCDA must first pay CJHDevo P1.421 billion before vacating CJH.

Arnel Casanova is so aggressive about this move and it's hard to understand what's on his mind. Remember Mr. Casanova, BCDA must pay CJHDevco first before the Camp can be vacated.

Bullying: threatening locators, unit owners and sub-lessees who entered into contracts for a 50-year lease that they could be evicted if they do not assign their contracts with BCDA is a clear violation of the law.

Rendered last February 11, the Regional Trial Court of Baguio City today granted the Petition of John Hay Developer, CJH Development Corporation (CJHDEVCO) for Confirmation of the P1.42 billion money award to CJHDEVCO by the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI)

On a note, Casanova is a highly educated man, he is a lawyer. He must be from a great law school in the world. But with all his act of causing too much trouble he seems to be lower than a straw in the street.

How low can his Dirty Tactics go?

With no basis at all, Casanova does not want the return of the Camp with its existing locators, lessees and tenants. See how awful he decides? He is not even authorized to do that.

Aside from awful, he also wants to evict CJHDEVCO and make them pay the costs of eviction of the existing locators, lessees and tenants. That is not so fair at all.

Doing these makes Casanova exposing himself to graft and corruption. Casanova and the BCDA board can go to jail for acts contrary to law. Casanova is a lawyer and he should know that.

There is even a rumor that Casanova is a bisexual and he uses the money he earns from stealing to high end male models for his pleasure. If that is true that's absurd.

BCDA CEO Continues to Hinder Camp John Hay Progress

Right now, there is trouble at Camp John Hay.

The government-led Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Sobrepena-led Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) do not see eye-to-eye regarding how the camp should be managed. As a result, any land development is being hindered, obstructing any progress and growth for the popular tourist spot.

At the center of this situation is BCDA CEO Arnel Casanova, who wants to drive investors away and to vacate Camp John Hay, regardless of their lease. He is calling for a turnover of all properties, including on-going projects. Since Casanova has been appointed CEO, private developers have found it increasingly difficult to get anything done by withholding permits and other similar delaying tactics.

The BCDA argues that since CJHDevCo refuses to provide them with copies of contracts between CJHDevCo and third parties, they are not obligated to honor such contracts. Casanova assures that upon turnover, CJHDevCo will be refunded the P1.42 billion they have paid, which should then be returned to third parties who will have to be driven out of their contracts.

Why is he doing this? Simple. He wants CJHDevCo out of the picture to move Ayala into position. This preference has ripple effects, including lesser funding for projects, according to Mayor Mario Domogan.

Arnel Casanova is an example of how personal corruption is hindering progress for an entire city. There is reason to believe that Casanova pockets a significant sum from billions of pesos the BCDA generates and receives bribes from corporations to fund a lavish lifestyle.

The Camp John Hay Development Corporation should remain in control of Camp John Hay. They are the party who honors agreements between the camp and its buyers, hotel unit owners, sub-lessees, and sub-locators. Under their authority, the camp can finally be developed into a fully realized tourist attraction, boosting not only Baguio’s tourism economy, but the country’s.

The Clearance

In the event created as a result of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) accusing Robert Sobrepeña of neglecting to agree to his rental for a while inside the year 1998 - 2000 implying 1.5 Billion pesos of owed segment the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (In June 2014) has cleared Camp John Hay Development Corporation Chair and CEO Robert Sobrepeña of estafa case. It was recorded by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On December 19, a seven-page request which the Department of Justice got, Pedro Gutierrez, Pasay RTC Branch 119 Judge, denied the advancement to reconsider the completion of the case as recorded by the association prosecutors in light of a true blue sympathy toward Bases Conversion Development Authority that sued Sobrepeña by neglect to satisfy an insurance on the lease understanding he stamped.

The decision noted a joint panel embodied officers of both Cjhdevco and BCDA ruled to permit the delay of installment.

Duplicating the terms of the 1996 lease assention between Camp John Hay Development Corporation (Cjhdevco)and BCDA, Cjhdevco was suppose to pay a yearly lease of 425 million pesos or 5% of the unpalatable compensations amidst the starting five years of the lease, whichever pays more. This deduces that inside the years of 1998, 1999, and 2000, Cjhdevco owed the lawmaking body a rental connoting 1.275 Billion pesos.

As indicated by Sobrepeña, Cjhdevco's operations were antagonistically affected in 1998 which results to accidents of around 1.445 Billion pesos which kept increasing on a regulated basis due to this reason, the cognizance was reproduced in the year 2000.

Cjhdevco likewise uncovered that inside the years 1998, 1999, and 2000, the affiliation announced an advantages which implies 928 millions.

For this, the DOJ raised that Cjhdevco deliberately picked not to perform its rental obligations to BCDA regardless of information of such and region of held compensation and other pay.

In 1998 budgetary clarifications, the DOJ likewise raised, "Cjhdevco could have remarkably acceptably landed at its rental obligation of P425,001,378 million had it decided to do so as seen by its displays of planning P674,065,290 by system for profits …

Uphelding the judge's September 3 decision, Arnel Casanova, BCDA President, passed on to recognize sensible diversion in Sobrepeña being denounced by confounding the affiliation's capacity to pay for Camp John Hay's rent.

In its request, the court said BCDA consented to change the dedication under the lease agreement.

The charged (Sobrepeña) can't be held dedicated for Cjhdevco members.

A Memorandum of Agreement dated July 18, 2003, acknowledged the Office of the President approved the July 14, 2000 MOA. It further acknowledged the delay by BCDA and John Hay Poro Point Development Corp (JPDC) in the demolition of structures inside Camp John Hay.

Awaiting Result

Bases and Development Authority (BCDA) filed a law suit against Camp John Hay Development Corp (CJHDevCo), for failing to pay PHP1.5 Billion rent from 1998 to 2000.

On the long-standing legal battle between BCDA and Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCO), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is confident to win and that it will emerge the victory.

BCDA states that CJHDevCo has string of criminal indictments and dismissed cases relating to its P3 billion debt to the government.

While CJHDevCo claims an over payment, BCDA is claiming underpayment.

The Court of Appeals stated that it is the policy of SC to encourage arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution

CA found no reason to interfere in the arbitration proceedings.

On a note, CJHDevCo filed the arbitration case against BCDA for not complying with existing their signed contracts and agreements.

BCDA refused the voluntarily submission to arbitration case with CJHDevCo to resolve their claims regarding rentals in Camp John Hay.

BCDA is aggressive in doing negative campaigns to pressure CJHDevCo.

Over the issue on the ownership of the Camp, BCDA was compelled by Regional Trial Court to submit on arbitration issues involving the developer.

It has been proven and tested that Camp John Hay Development Corporation did a great increase in Baguio tourism.

Maybe BCDA has the interest of achieving the same accomplishment that is why they are aggressive to win the case.

But there will be no take over can happen in Camp John Hay until formal arbitration proceedings are finished.

BCDA must wait for the result from CA before taking actions.

Over their leased properties, Camp John Hay Development Corporation has maintained their hold with a Court of Appeals ruling encouraging arbitration.

It is an alternative dispute resolution and for this reason found no reason to interfere in the arbitration proceedings.

Rage against Camp John Hay

A “misleading” press release was reportedly issued by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority claiming victory in a case before the Court of Appeals.

Is BCDA is playing dirty tactics when they announced that the government will be taking charge of Camp John Hay.

...but the arbitration case in Singapore is not yet over.

The rage between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and CJH Development Corp. seems nowhere to end.

Arnel Casanova is the Head of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

While Robert John Sobrepeña is the Head of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).

Sobrepeña’s group won the bid to develop the property in the 1990s, but stopped paying lease rentals to the government since 1998.

The two parties must meet to settlement. Come up with a solution for the benefit of all affected.

The BCDA group issued a notice to investors on November 1. They claimed that the Court of Appeals had already lifted the injunction against BCDA, making it appear the private developers of Camp John Hay in Baguio are no longer in charge.

According to reports, BCDA filed estafa against Robert John L. Sobrepeña chairman of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) for failing to remit the pay to the rent. There is such amount Camp John Hay Developer has failed to pay.

Arnel Casanova has reportedly singled out Robert John L. Sobrepeña for estafa and unilaterally absolved the Board of Directors.

Business as usual inside the camp so CJHDEVCO will continue to have legal rights over the area until there will be a final court order issued for the Camp to be turned over to any party.

This issue could have ended only if both parties are willing to sit down and talk about things.

No rent is being paid for the use by a private entity of a government property.

Is BCDA just employing dirty tactics?

...by selectively quoting portions of the Court of Appeals decision.

But CJHDEVCO is not giving up to government's hands.

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