By Paulo Loreto Lim

After a Bacolod City Regional Trial Court (RTC) dismissed a case filed by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. seeking to nullify the lease contract between Ayala Land, Inc. and the Negros Occidental provincial government last month, SM has since filed a motion for reconsideration.
SM legal counsel believes, if put to a proper trial, the court will see the merits of their case.
Judge Rosario Ester Orda-Caise earlier ruled against SM, claiming they were forum-shopping, after it was revealed they had previously lost numerous cases of similar nature, as the court put it, “To nullify the award made by the province to Ayala Land, Inc.”
Meanwhile, the provincial government is currently preparing their arguments in opposition to the motion.
The case pertains to a contract between the two parties over properties surrounding the Provincial Capitol./WDJ