Torre de Manila met legal requirements, says DMCI; releases pictures without "photo-bomb" effect

                

MANILA, Philippines - 'Pambansang Photo Bomb' depends on where you stand, the developer of the controversial Torre de Manila said Tuesday, as it sought to dispute allegations that the condominium building now nearing completion has ruined the iconic view of the Rizal Monument at Luneta. The c49-storey condominium project obtained all the required permits and approvals for its construction, its developer, DMCI Project Developers, Inc., said in a statement on Tuesday, as the Senate probe of the matter pends. The developer also released photos showing that when taken directly in front of the Jose Rizal Monument at Luneta, the resulting image does not show the Torre de Manila in the background, which it noted as being built on the right side of the monument, a full 1 kilometer away. The pictures, it said, showed the actual relationship of the project with the Rizal monument to disprove what it called the photoshopped versions. It was apparently the firm's way of debunking criticism from various groups that dubbed it the "Pambansang Photo Bomber" for "intruding" into the iconic scenes of the national hero's monument, one of the country's most important landmarks, where visiting heads of state traditionally lay wreaths. Separating aesthetics from legality The DMCI statement focuses mainly on the legality of all the steps it took on this controversial project. “Our zoning permit, issued on June 19, 2012, specifically allows us to build 97,549 square meters. This was confirmed when the building permit was issued the following month showing that we were cleared to build a 49-storey project,” DMCI said. The DMCI was approved by City Hall during the time of Mayor Alfredo Lim and the incumbent, Mayor Joseph Estrada, has said the records show the projects complied with its requirements. In September 2012, Manila City Hall’s legal department had also opined that the request of the then city council to suspend the project’s building permit effectively for reasons of “aesthetic offensiveness” is not among the legal bases that allows such action, DMCI recalled. By November 2012, the National Historical Commission cleared the project, saying it “is outside the boundaries of Rizal Park and well to the rear (789 meters) of the Rizal National Monument.” But for future projects, it might ask the Manila City government to designate a buffer zone around Rizal Park and regulate building development. Finally, early this year, the present city council confirmed and ratified all the permits and approvals issued by city hall for the project. “For all intents and purposes, we are legally solid,” DMCI said. The complaints against the project, DMCI added, centered on the project becoming part of the background of the Rizal Monument, which has nothing to do with the law. Not just Rizal shrine - Senator Pia Sen. Pia Cayetano, who has been leading the Senate inquiry, had pointed out before the most recent hearing that it's not only the Rizal monument that is at risk of having its environs intruded upon. She called the inquiry in aid of legislation because, Cayetano noted, there is a need for clearer parameters in the regulatory processes for greenlighting projects that could impact such historical shrines and landmarks. DMCI said Tuesday, “Our project is almost one kilometer away from the monument and even a bit on the right side. But to grab public attention, some parties took to the unethical approach of virtually juxtaposing pictures of our project right behind the monument." DMCI added: “In effect, their claim of ‘photobomb’ was photoshopped. It was a success as far as getting the public to believe their propaganda, but it was at the expense of truth." It was not clear which particular group DMCI referred to as having resorted to this illusion trick. The first photo in the series below was the one provided by DMCI, which doesn't show the building behind the monument The photo released Aug. 20 by Sen. Pia Cayetano's office (second photo) also apparently taken from the left angle, also showed the building from afar, behind the monument.