Manila, Philippines—In a 115-page memorandum to the Supreme Court dated September 29, DMCI Homes Inc., the developer of the controversial Torre de Manila condominium project, whose still unfinished building façade has been perceived by The Order of the Knights of Rizal to be disrupting the sightline of the Rizal monument in Rizal Park, said that government heritage agencies have no jurisdiction over the condominium project since it was built on a private property.

DMCI Homes also said the Rizal monument was only declared a national cultural treasure one year after the real estate company obtained all government permits and started the construction of the 46-story vertical development.

DMCI also argued that the Rizal monument was used to be surrounded by tall buildings, i.e. the former Manila thermal power plant and its two smoke stacks in the background.

In 2008, the Philippine government sold the power plant to Malaysian firm Gagasan Steel.

“In the absence of any constitutional or legal provision protecting or conserving sightlines, the Torre de Manila remains to be a legitimate expression of DMCI’s right to property,” said DMCI.

Favoring The Order of the Knights of Rizal, The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the construction of Torre de Manila last June 16.

DMCI Homes has filed its latest memorandum with the Supreme Court to ask the tribunal to dismiss the petition of The Order of the Knights of Rizal and immediately lift the TRO.

Below is the full text of DMCI Homes’ memorandum:

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