The Philippine Ports Authority yesterday requested the Court for a postponement on the hearing of the amendment of the compromise agreement with the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. which is pending with the Regional Trial Court.

PPA filed before Judge Fernando Elumba of RTC Branch 42 a motion to reset the hearing to July 6. BREDCO had filed an injunction case against PPA after the office revoked its permit to operate. PPA issued the revocation of the PTO when BREDCO failed to explain why it charged higher tariffs without authority of the PPA.

Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, one of the lawyers of BREDCO, yesterday said PPA asked for the postponement of the hearing because of the policy now that all department heads of the major government agencies should submit their courtesy resignations.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is seeking an overhaul of her bureaucracy starting with her official family and the heads of the 117 government-owned and controlled corporations, and government financial institutions.

Because of that, Novero said the local PPA officials are not sure yet who will be the new PPA general manager. They want to consult first with whoever will be appointed by the President to the position on the issue relating to the present case.

He said the PPA asked for the deferment of the hearing of the amendment on the compromise agreement because they cannot pre-empt the decision of the new general manager.

Novero said if a compromise agreement is reached between PPA and BREDCO, the injunction case filed by BREDCO will most likely be deemed moot and academic.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously passed yesterday a resolution urging the Office of the City Mayor to intervene in the case between PPA and BREDCO on the matter of rates at the Reclamation Ports in order to protect the interests of the constituents of Bacolod City, as well as, the rights of the city as owner of the ports.*CGS

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