Court rejects attempt to stop Army and Navy Club development

Wednesday 22nd of March 2017

The Court of Appeals has rejected an attempt to stop the historic Army and Navy Club in Manila from being converted to a hotel and casino, local media reports.

The court said the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, while filed the injunction, should have first opposed the project before a regional trial court.

The appellate court noted the decision of the Manila City government to enter into an agreement with private entities for the development of the Army and Navy Club and the approval of the development by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines cannot be considered a judicial, quasi-judicial or ministerial action that can be a subject of a petition for certiorari.

The group was seeking the nullification of the agreement among respondents Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the city government of Manila, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp. and Vanderwood Management Corp. for the development of the Army and Navy Club and to enjoin them from converting the property into a boutique hotel and casino game facility, the report said.

The group argued that the 13,000-square meter property near Manila Bay would violate the National Cultural Heritage Act. It also objected to building a casino near the Museo Pambata (Children's Museum).

Bricks & Mortar Casino Petition Lawsuit Conversion Historic building