Court junks TRO vs Olongapo officials, mall

OLONGAPO CITY: The Regional Trial Court (RTC) has denied a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) by Sen. Richard Gordon and Councilor Edic Piano to stop SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), the city mayor and members of the city council from constructing a mall and convention center complex in Barangay East Tapinac near Marikit Park here.

RTC Branch 74 presiding Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde said issuance of a TRO on the project has been rendered moot and academic as facilities were already demolished. The issuance of a writ of injunction on the implementation of the project cannot be resolved without going to the issues in the main case, which is the Mandamus and Declaration of Nullity of a Lease Agreement.