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MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE) The Supreme Court has been asked to issue a temporary restraining order against the planned demolition of a historical building in Tokyo, Japan which used to be the residence of the Philippine ambassador.
In its 40-page petition, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. along with several others told the high court to stop the planned demolition of the residence of the Philippine Ambassador located in Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan.
?The petitioners respectfully pray the Honorable Court to issue temporary restraining order directing the respondents to cease and desist from further proceeding with the public bidding for the right to lease and develop Fujimi property and/or from awarding the right to any party that participated in such public bidding,? the petitioners said.
?In the event that the public bidding has been concluded and an award to so-called winning bidder has been made, petitioners respectfully pray the Honorable Court to issue an order restraining the implementation of the award,? they added.
The site is reportedly being eyed to give way for the construction of a 21-story building for private and commercial occupants.
Named respondents in the case were Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin, Deputy Executive Secretary and member of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)-Japan Natividad Dizon, Budget and Management Undersecretary and BAC-Japan member Laura Pascua, Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary and BAC-Japan member Bashir Rasuman, and Chief State Counsel and BAC-Japan member Ricardo Paras III.
Former Ambassador Jose Macario Laurel IV, Pimentel, and the Philippine Ambassadors Foundation Inc. (Pafi), through their lawyer Catalino Aldea Generillo added that the 5,219 55-square meter Fujimi property was supposed to be bidded out on November 11, 2009 based on the published invitation.
The proposed demolition of the embassy residence was earlier set on hold by order of President Arroyo.
The Fujimi property was originally bought by President Laurel during the last World War in March 1944 and has been the residence of the Philippine ambassadors since the time of Jorge Vargas. In their letter addressed to the President dated June 10, 2008, Laurel and former Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, president and chairman of Pafi, respectively noted that the Fujimi property has rich historical value. On March 9, 1952, the Philippine National Historical Committee installed a marker on the property?s building stating that it was established during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
?The Philippine Ambassadors Foundation wishes to express its reservation to the proposed demolition of the historic embassy residence not only because it would be detrimental to the preservation of our culture, heritage, and national patrimony but also in contravention of Presidential Decree No. 1505 dated June 11, 1987,? the petitioners said.
They added that the provision declares ?unlawful? the repair, modification or destruction of original features of any national shrine, monument, and other important historic edifices.?
It also requires the permission of the chairman of the National Historical Institute prior to the demolition or alteration of an historical edifice.
