MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed an appeal filed by a religious group seeking to stop the demolition of its property in Antipolo City.
In a resolution dated August 17 and written by Associate Justice Carlito B. Calpatura, the appellate court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by The Bible Holiness Church of God of the Philippines, Inc., represented by Sister Noemi Luzan Esteban.
The court said the group “did not raise any new and substantial ground” to reverse its Sept. 6, 2021 ruling, which in turn affirmed the demolition of its properties, as ordered by the Antipolo Regional Trial Court in a case filed by the Sta. Lucia Realty & Development, Inc.
The demolition order came after the developer claimed the church refused to surrender a 6,313-square meter portion of its property in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City, where it had been earlier tolerated to stay in the meantime along with other parties.
The church, meanwhile, claimed ownership under a deed of sale between Diosdado Luzan Jr. and Deogenes O. Rodriguez who are also complainants in a case before the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board.
In the ensuing litigation, a writ of demolition in favor of Sta. Lucia was issued by the lower court handling the case. (PNA)
