WHILE THE SUPREME COURT RULED that the parcels in question were “part of the territory of the City of Taguig,” and that Makati was permanently enjoined “from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating [them] as part of its territory,” it did not say that the parcels were “owned” by Makati or by Taguig.
The Court merely held that Taguig could exercise jurisdiction over the contested area, meaning that it shall exercise governance powers and functions delegated to it by the Constitution and the law, including the power to impose taxes (especially real estate taxes), to issue (or not to issue) business permits and licenses, and to receive a share in the revenues collected by the national government.
The functions and responsibilities of the national government were not affected, much less diminished, by the Court’s ruling. Hence, the Department of Education—either directly or indirectly through its regional offices—still exercises the same functions and responsibilities over all the schools therein.
Consequently, I agree with Vice President and concurrent Secretary of Education Sara Duterte in continuing to exercise her supervisory powers over the schools in the disputed area, and with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos in directing the national police forces to continue safeguarding peace and order therein. The same rule applies to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in promoting the health and well-being of the populace whether they live in Makati or in Taguig.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT AFFECTED by a change of political boundaries. Titles to real estate and other property are not altered, erased, or diminished by a change in local governance. Thus, if Makati has Torrens Certificate of Titles over the land on which the schools, hospitals, police stations, etc. it claims to own, and the facilities it funded thereon, then its absolute ownership subsists together with the rights of ownership flowing therefrom, as asserted by Makati Mayor Abby Binay.