The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is urging a Manila court to reconsider junking a case involving the North Harbor bidding process.
At the same time, the agency is contemplating on filing a separate petition to hold the court liable in case of an accident at the structurally weak North Harbor facility if the court prolongs the case resolution.
In a hearing at Branch 21 of the Manila Regional Trial Court last week, the PPA reiterated that the case filed by Habour Centre Port Terminals Inc and joint venture partner Metro Pacific Investments Corp on the privatization of the Manila North Harbor should be dismissed because of a waiver signed by both firms before the bidding. The waiver prohibits bidders from suing PPA during the bidding process.
The court has already denied PPA’s first plea for dismissal last December.
Harbour Centre submitted an amended petition that was not made available as of presstime Friday.
Harbour Centre with partner Metro Pacific is the lone bidder for the project. The company filed a case in August last year after the PPA board insisted on at least two bidders for the project.
PPA has suspended bidding proceedings pending final resolution of the issue.
