We are pleased to inform you that last 27 March 2006, the 8th Division of the Court of Appeals issued a Writ Preliminary Injunction against the City of
We quote: ...“UBFHAI has continuously administered, regulated, and maintained the use of the private roads inside the BF Homes Parañaque Subdivision, even employing security guards to man their major gates, issuing passes and tickets for entry into the subdivision for certain purposes and charging fees set by the association. As owners or administrators of private roads, appellants are entitled to continue to enjoy exclusive access therein for their own protection and security and to regulate its use by non-residents…”
From this decision, we would like to highlight two very important facts that we have repeatedly pointed out to the commercial establishments, to the city officials, and to all those who wish turn our subdivision into something other than what we dreamed of: 1) that UBFHAI has been performing the role of administrator from its inception as a mother organization of all enclaves and associations (a fact that the Supreme Court, the CA, and even the BIR have previously recognized in their respective rulings) and 2) that the roads within BF Homes Subdivision are undeniably private. We have said this many times in the past. We pray that this will finally put an end to any further attempts at denying our rights to keep our village private.
It took us almost seven months to attain the relief we sought, but we knew we were right. Homeowners’ rights cannot and should not be trivialized, least of all by the people who are sworn to uphold those rights.
It is just ironic that in our struggle to preserve the residential character of our subdivision, the local government chose to be an obstacle rather than an ally. Ironic, because as taxpayers, we deserve better governance, and instead suffered the indignity of having our rights trampled upon. But we did not take it sitting down. We said we’d fight back, and we did. We fought back to regain our gates. We wanted our privacy back. We wanted to restore the peace and harmony of our community. The CA’s decision is the first step towards in that direction.
And while we wait for the courts to resolve the issue, we are going to roll up our sleeves, and get down to the business of restoring the order we once had. The tasks are many. It’s time to clean up the mess created by the forcible opening of our gates.
Stemming the tide of commercialism is like the legendary King Canute ordering the waves of the sea to roll back. Over the last five months, the
The other problems are just as formidable. No water, the growing number of informal settlers inside our subdivision, the menace of prohibited drugs, the proliferation of girlie bars, clubs, and motels masquerading as apartelles. Unruly and arrogant tricycle drivers. Illegal tricycle terminals. Over-speeding motorists. Illegal constructions. Ambulant vendors.
And the crime rate is yet another matter. Criminal activities occurring within our village spiked in the last six months. Our homeowners and residents have fallen victim in various incidents, ranging from petty theft to snatchings, akyat-bahay. Carnappings. And then there was the Capili incident.
We are confident that we can bring back the peaceful neighborhood we once had. But we can do it better, faster, with your continued support and cooperation.
Our community is blessed with committed, talented, and selfless individuals; politicians, active and retired military and government officials, business executives, lawyers and opinion makers in the press. We call on them now to take the role of participants rather than spectators; to be a part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. Call us and lend a hand.
We would like to thank the many homeowners and residents, for their patience and support. For those who kept the faith. For those who rooted for us from the sidelines as we hurdled obstacle after daunting obstacle. For your prayers, and your trust.
Celso L. Reyes, President
United BF Homeowners’ Association, Inc.
1 comment:
... We homeowners can't help but feel abused, insulted and bastardized by these government officials who must also know how to protect the rights of private subdivision dwellers like us. It's as if we don't have rights, too, you know. And, indeed, we may have fellow-homeowners who are government officials (some even prominent ones) but they don't have the balls to speak out against this abuse being perpetuated upon us. They think they are insulated from it and won't bet affected --- it's just a matter of time. And so with most of our fellow homeowners (the so called silent majority). This impatience and disgust for what is happening can be seen by unruly driving and disrespect of traffic lights inside the subdivision. The mere buying of UBFHAI 2006 stickers is a sure sign of a silent protest against what the mayor did to us. Maybe, we residents of BF Homes are slow to react to anything--unless our properties, our own families, our very lives are threatened. One strategy that we must also consider is to deviate the issues from personalities. While Celso represents UBFHAI and Bernabe is the mayor, what is at stake here is the survival of the association UBFHAI. UBFHAI represents the whole subdivision (every homeowner) in class suits, protecting their rights, providing services and preserving the very residential nature of our community. Homeowners would prefer to rally behind the association because of the smear campaign and black propaganda being waged against celso. It is very easy to destroy the reputation of a person but hard to destroy the association that represents all homeowners.
I hope and pray, together with the rest of our homeowners, that our privacy would be regained and never again be breached.
Post a Comment