Manila, Philippines—In a 46-page memorandum dated Monday, September 21, Solicitor General (SolGen) Florin Hilbay explains not only why the permits of the construction of the controversial 46-story condominium project Torre de Manila obtained by its developer, DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), are void, but also why the sightline of the Jose Rizal monument in Rizal Park, which the condominium project has been perceived to be inferring with, is “legally protected as it constitutes part of the cultural commons of the Republic of the Philippines.”

SolGen Hilbay strongly urges the Supreme Court (SC) to “(1) declare the sightline of the Jose Rizal monument in Rizal Park is legally protected under R.A. No. 10066 and R.A. No. 10086; (2) order DMCI to demolish Torre de Manila, at its own expense, or to issue a writ of mandamus to the City of Manila to cause the demolition of the Torre de Manila, at DMCI’s expense; and (3) issue a writ of continuing mandamus to National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to: (a) oversee the demolition of the Torre de Manila; (b) prescribe policies for the conservation and preservation of the Jose Rizal monument in coordination with the National Museum; and (c) submit quarterly reports on the progress of the execution of the Honorable Court’s judgment in this case.”

Below is the full text of the memorandum.

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