Issue permit to operate to locator, SBMA told

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – A local court has ordered the  Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to issue a certificate of registration and tax exemption (CRTE) to a locator, which filed a contempt case against SBMA.

In a decision dated Oct. 31, Olongapo City Regional Trial Court  Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde granted the petition of Brighterday Subic Ltd. Inc., operator of All Hands Beach, for a preliminary mandatory injunction.

Brighterday filed the petition last March, citing SBMA’s refusal to issue the CRTE because of a dispute on All Hands Beach’s supposed unpaid obligations. 

The locator said SBMA refused to follow the terms and conditions of an earlier court ruling for the period of notices and observance of due process in case of any alleged violation to be taken into consideration and pre-termination to be exercised with caution by recognizing the right of Brighterday to seek remedy for 60 days.

SBMA administrator and chairperson Wilma Eisma and senior deputy administrator Ramon Agregado were among those named respondents in the contempt case.

Diosdado Rongcal, counsel for Brighterday, said SBMA refused to issue the CRTE even though the locator submitted the required documents and paid the prescribed three-year fees.

The STAR failed to get an official statement from Eisma, who is out of the country.