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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cayetano: ‘Torre’ far from over

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A LAWMAKER on Wednesday criticized the Supreme Court’s lifting of its Temporary Restraining Order on the construction of the 49-story Torre de Manila condominium along Taft Avenue in Manila.

House deputy speaker and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano said the fight against the project of construction firm DM Consunji had raised the people’s consciousness on the importance of preserving the Philippines’ historical landmarks.

“With the Supreme Court’s recent decision, it looks like the so-called Pambansang Photo bomber will forever cast a long and dark shadow over the Rizal Monument,” said Cayetano, a former senator.

“This brings much sadness to me and the heritage advocates because it degrades the sacredness of the Rizal Monument. 

“After being the centerpiece of the historic Luneta landscape for more than a century, the shrine built in honor of our national hero will now have to share the iconic skyline of Rizal Park with a towering condominium.”

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Cayetano said she intended to file a bill  that would ensure full protection of the country’s national heritage sites, and to include not just their physical integrity but also their visual corridors, “so that this does not happen again.”

Cayetano was among those who fought the construction of the high-rise condominium project that allegedly sticks out like a “sore thumb” along the line of sight of the Rizal Monument.

“I do not regret fighting for this. It is a fight that has brought to the consciousness of our people the importance of protecting and preserving our cultural heritage and historical landmarks,” Cayetano said.   

“And I remain hopeful that this will make people and government officials more vigilant and responsible when it comes to preserving these sites.”

Cayetano led the Senate probe into the construction of Torre de Manila in 2014. The probe uncovered how the zoning laws in Manila were sidetracked to allow the construction of the condominium.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the construction of the project after the  justices voted 9-6 in favor of it. It said it had no jurisdiction over the case.

The high court also said the petitioner Knights of Rizal had no standing to sue the builder. 

The Knights of Rizal filed its petition against the condominium in September 2014.

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