A lower court has approved the government’s petition
to put in escrow account its proffered payment of $175 million for the
expropriation of the Naia Terminal 3. 
Judge Eugenio Dela Cruz granted the petition filed by the Department
of Transportation and Communications and Manila International Airport
Authority, representing the government.Solicitor General Jose Cadiz, who
filed the petition, said the ruling would pave the way for the
resolution of the long running case.
Dela Cruz designated the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines and
Development Bank of the Philippines as the escrow agents.
The court said the $175 million deposit will only be released to
Piatco once it submits a warranty that the structures and facilities of
the terminal are free from liens and encumbrances.
“Upon payment of the plaintiffs (government) of the said just
compensation in an escrow account, this court recognizes the Republic of
the Philippines’ right to exercise full rights of ownership of the NAIA
III structures and facilities,” Dela Cruz said in his decision.
The court held that Piatco, as owner of the Terminal 3, is the one
entitled to the just compensation as it had ruled in 2004 when it
mandated the payment to the company prior to a government takeover.
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