Court stops Reghis Romero II’s son, firm from exercising control of Harbour Centre Port

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has granted the petition of businessman Reghis Romero II in connection with the dispute over Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) and temporarily stopped his son Michael Romero’s company from exercising acts of ownership over the port terminal facility in Manila.

Judge Bernelito Fernandez of Branch 97 issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) effective upon receipt of the order dated May 5.

The defendants, Harbour Centre Port Holdings Inc. (HCPHI) and its president Michael Romero, “including all persons acting for and in their behalf are hereby restrained from performing any and all acts using, directly or indirectly, the subject Deeds of Assignment of March 2, 2011,” the six-page order said.

The TRO was issued in connection with the complaint filed by Reghis Romero II and his companies, R-II Builders Inc. and R-II Holdings Inc., which sought to nullify the allegedly spurious Deed of Assignment making it appear that they relinquished majority shareholdings of HCPTI to HCPHI.

The court denied the son’s motion to dismiss the case for lack of merit.

“It appears that the plaintiffs are the lawful owner of shares of stocks in the Harbour Terminal … that defendants’ actions based on the assailed Deed of Assignment may cause injury to plaintiffs,” the court said. SFM/AC