A Baguio court has rejected a last-ditch effort by sub-lessees of Camp John Hay to delay the full return of the property to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), confirming the Supreme Court's previous ruling. This decision throws the future of many unit owners and sub-lessees into uncertainty, as they now face eviction and the loss of their homes and investments. While BCDA has offered new lease agreements, it has not recognized the validity of contracts previously issued by the former developer, CJHDevCo.
A Baguio court has denied a fresh attempt by sub-lessees of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) to halt the full recovery of the 247-hectare property by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority ( BCDA ), reinforcing the finality of a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
In a decision issued on Wednesday, February 5, Branch 79 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court (RTC) rejected an application from several foreign nationals seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Branch 6 of the Baguio RTC and the court’s ex-officio sheriff. The petitioners had aimed to stop the enforcement of the arbitral final award, which mandates the return of Camp John Hay and all its improvements to BCDA. Following the court’s ruling, BCDA Chairperson Hilario Paredes emphasized that the decision reaffirms the authority of the rule of law and warned against misleading claims that might encourage further resistance. “This development sends a strong message to all stakeholders to respect the rule of law,” Paredes said. “We thank the dedicated officers at the Baguio Regional Trial Court and our law enforcement partners who continue to tirelessly and vigorously enforce our laws.” Paredes also encouraged affected parties to direct their claims against the entities they signed contracts with, implying that CJHDevCo, not BCDA, is accountable for the sub-lessees’ predicament. The latest legal challenge comes after BCDA resumed the enforcement of the final arbitral award on January 6, 2025, when the Baguio sheriff issued eviction notices to CJHDevCo, its tenants, and sub-lessees.The Supreme Court had already settled the long-running legal dispute on April 3, 2024, when it invalidated a 2015 Court of Appeals ruling that attempted to exempt third parties from the writ of execution and notices to vacate issued by Branch 6 of the Baguio RTC. In its final October 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the arbitral final award, clarifying that all improvements within Camp John Hay must be returned to BCDA without exception. This included properties owned or occupied by third parties, which the court ruled were covered under the original lease between BCDA and CJHDevCo. The court’s decision directly impacts private unit owners and sub-lessees who had purchased or leased homes and condotel units within Camp John Hay, believing they had valid long-term contracts. Many of these buyers, including foreign nationals, claim they were innocent purchasers in good faith, unaware of the legal disputes between BCDA and CJHDevCo.CJHDevCo, led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña, entered into a 25-year lease with BCDA in 1996 to develop Camp John Hay into a premier eco-tourism and investment hub. However, the developer failed to meet its financial obligations, leading to lease termination, arbitration, and eventually, eviction orders. In a statement on Thursday, February 6, CJHDevCo continued to assert that unit owners and investors should not be affected by the rescission of its lease with BCDA. The company argued that BCDA actively encouraged public investment in Camp John Hay and that buyers had built their homes in good faith. CJHDevCo further claimed that the Supreme Court never ordered the eviction of lawful property owners, maintaining that BCDA should compensate unit owners if they are forced to vacate. Despite the court ruling, BCDA has been working with sub-lessees to negotiate new residential lease agreements. On February 5, 2025, BCDA announced that it had already signed over 40 fresh residential leases in Forest Estates, Country Homes, Golf Estates, and Forest Cabins. BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang reassured stakeholders that the agency is open to dialogue and fair negotiations. “We want to assure all stakeholders that BCDA is here to help facilitate this transition of management in Camp John Hay,” Bingcang said. “With the support of our private partners and the Baguio City Government, we are working to improve facilities and services, protect the natural environment, create employment opportunities, and ultimately, empower the local community.” BCDA has also announced that it is reviewing Camp John Hay’s master plan, with the goal of aligning future development with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).As the legal battle over Camp John Hay draws to a close, questions remain on the future of displaced unit owners and sub-lessees. BCDA has offered new lease agreements but has not acknowledged the validity of previous contracts issued by CJHDevCo. Meanwhile, CJHDevCo has continued to insist that unit owners should be compensated or allowed to remain in their propertie
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