Pasay City rejects Ayala request for more time to challenge rival bid

MANILA, Philippines—The Pasay City government has rejected a request from Ayala Land Inc. to be given 60 more days to challenge SM Land Inc.’s 300-hectare reclamation project.

In a letter dated Oct. 29, Pasay City legal officer Severo Madrona Jr. pointed out that the invitation to submit a counter-proposal — published last Oct. 1. — expressly required submission on or before Nov. 4 following a 30-day period for submission of comparative proposals.

He said the procedure was guided by a legal opinion from the Department of Interior and Local Government recognizing the discretion of a local government unit to implement joint-venture projects pursuant to its own determination of the appropriate rules.

Following the DILG opinion, the city government said it had adhered to the guidelines set by the National Economic Development Authority in dealing with an earlier unsolicited project involving a 60-hectare reclamation project.

“As pointed out by SM Land in its comment (to ALI’s request), we cannot just change the rules in mid-stream to favor a party. Thus, much to our regret, we cannot grant your request for extension of time to submit counter-proposal without exposing ourselves to charges of violating or bending the rules to favor your company,” Madrona said.