Protect the Philippine Patrimonial Properties in Japan

Honorable Manuel Villar
President, Senate of the Philippines
Rm. 606 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg.,
Financial Center, Roxas Blvd.,
Pasay City

We are outraged by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoвs renewed bidding call for the вdevelopmentв of the Fujimi property, part of the World War II reparations of Japan to the Philippines. The Fujimi property is a 5,219 square-meter prime real-state located in a mixed residential and commercial district in Tokyo. We are more indignant after learning that the Nampedai property, located at Shibuya, Tokyo, which was previously announced as build operate transfer scheme was instead sold to a Japanese buyer (Malaya, March 18, 2008). This government acts grossly violated the 1991 Philippine Supreme Court ruling that these properties were national patrimonies and could not be sold without a national referendum.

Should improvements of the Philippine property is needed, we strongly demand for the following provisions are set:
1) that the development process be totally transparent and all concerned parties and public consultations should be held in Japan and in the Philippines.
2) that the Filipino people get a fair deal - maximum income possible from the properties, without hefty broker commissions and shady kickbacks - and the use of the proceeds be clearly specified;
3) that the needs of the Filipino community in Japan be provided for in the new developments; and
4) the historical value of the properties be preserved for the generations to come.

We, the below signatories are therefore asking your office to act and intervene in stopping the awarding of bids for the Fujimi property and to junk the formal transfer of the Nampedai property to the Japanese buyer.