The Paranaque City government yesterday recognized the legitimacy of the 2019 board of directors of the Multinational Village Homeowners Association Inc. (MVHAI) following an earlier ruling of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (DHSUD).
“Considering this development, we wish assure the 2029 elected board members of MVHAI headed by Arnel Gacutan recognize the legitimacy as the legitimate board of the association,” a letter from city administrator lawyer Voltaire de la Cruz, per the directive of Mayor Eric Olivarez, stated.
De la Cruz said they will abide with the decision of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, which both nullified the 2022 election of MVHAI when businessman Julio Templonuevo was elected president.
In a three-page decision dated Feb. 29, 2024, lawyer Norman Jacinto Doral, DHSUD-NCR regional director, said the MVHAI election conducted last April 2022 is null and void.
Doral said the 2019 board members remained the sitting board of MVHAI in a hold-over capacity until today.
In his directive, Doral ordered Templonuevo and the board members who were elected during the 2022 elections to immediately turn over the association’s books, records, funds, properties, and other assets to Gacutan’s board within 15 days.
“This authority includes the authority to demand those occupying the association’s office to vacate there from within the reasonable period,” Doral informed Templonuevo’s group.
Olivarez said that they will continue to assist Gacutan and his board members in maintaining peace and order in the community.
The mayor added that with the resolution of both higher courts and DHSUD on the legal issues concerning MVHAI’s leadership, they are hoping the association’s leadership and the city government will enhance cooperation on various projects and programs for the greater good of the residents of the village.