CLARK FREE PORT—It is now all systems go for the final construction phase of The Medical City-Clark (TMCC) here after the Global Gateways Development Corp. (GGDC) obtained a writ of preliminary injunction against American-owned Peregrine Development International (PDI) and the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Angeles City from the Court of Appeals.
The CA’s Eighth Division, in a nine-page resolution signed by Associate Justices Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez, Fernanda Lampas Peralta and Francisco P. Acosta, granted the petition for a writ of preliminary injunction against PDI and the RTC.
The resolution stopped the RTC from enforcing its decision against GGDC, the investor in the 177-hectare Sabah Al Ahmad Global Gateways Logistics City project at the civil aviation complex here.
GGDC earlier described PDI as “a disgruntled contractor which is trying to block the development of The Medical City hospital.”
Dindo Danao, GGDC public- relations consultant, said the scheduled opening of the TMCC on December 8 will push through, as he expressed confidence that the new contractor will finish the project on time.
It can be recalled that the dispute broke out after and the GGDC, the investor in the GGLC project, withdrew the money in their Working Capital Account and terminated its contract with PDI on June 3 as its sole contractor of the project.
But PDI, owned by Dennis Wright, lashed back at GGDC, saying that the termination of their Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management contract was unilateral and arbitrary contrary to the provisions of its contract with GGDC.
GGDC immediately sought arbitration at the Singapore Arbitration Tribunal. However, PDI sought redress from the RTC in Angeles City after it accused GGDC of violating the status quo by forcefully taking over the project while arbitration is ongoing.
Executive Judge Omar Viola of the RTC in Angeles issued a temporary restraining order against GGDC, but the latter filed a petition for certiorari with the CA.
While the case was still pending, Liberal Party Rep. Oscar Rodriguez of Pampanga broached the possibility of an amicable settlement in the meeting with GGDC.
PDI was not invited to the meeting that was attended by Mayors Ed Pamintuan of Angeles City and Marino “Boking” Morales of Mabalacat City.
The CA resolution has allowed the completion of the TMCC, which is a vital component in the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) summit, which will hold its initial meetings here with about 1,500 senior ministers from member-countries attending.