Domogan Holds Back from Camp John Hay Golf Course Return
BAGUIO CITY — Former city mayor and current Congressman Mauricio Domogan continues to refrain from returning to the Camp John Hay Golf Course despite being granted access once more. His decision centers on unresolved issues surrounding the rights and security of fellow members.
Domogan was among those banned from the golf course following the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s (BCDA) takeover of Camp John Hay earlier this year. Although the BCDA has since allowed him access again, he has chosen not to resume playing until the core problems related to membership revocations are fully addressed.
“After the elections, they gave me a golf cart and said I could play as many rounds as I like. But I haven’t played since,” Domogan shared. “I don’t feel any enjoyment knowing that the rights of members—many of whom were never part of the original Supreme Court case—are still being violated.”
Golf Membership Rights Stir Legal Battle
The controversial cancellation of golf club memberships sparked a class suit led by Domogan and other members. They challenge the legality of what they describe as a unilateral and unlawful move during the BCDA’s takeover of the facility.
While Domogan has long supported development within Camp John Hay, he urges a more cooperative approach going forward. He proposed that club members be allowed to manage the golf course themselves, emphasizing fairness and practicality in his suggestion.
“I even suggested that since the golf course occupies about 50 hectares of the reservation, let’s compute the lease cost based on the rates in the original contract,” he explained. “Then the members can take over management, pay the dues, and run the club themselves. The chairperson said it was a good idea, but unfortunately, the facility has already been turned over to an interim management.”
Unresolved Membership Issues Despite Progress
Although concerns about employment for club staff and caddies have been addressed, Domogan emphasized that broader membership issues remain unresolved. These include the continuity of rights and the recognition of existing contracts.
“The ban imposed on me and other members was unjust,” Domogan stated firmly. “We are not outsiders. We are stakeholders who have supported this club for years. All we are asking for is to be treated fairly and for our contracts to be respected.”
Ongoing Disputes Highlight Broader Challenges
This membership controversy is part of a larger dispute involving the BCDA’s recent actions in Camp John Hay. Multiple legal challenges are currently pending in courts, focusing on third-party rights, government accountability, and the future of longstanding partnerships formed under state agreements.
For Congressman Domogan, the golf clubs remain open, but until justice is served, his clubs will stay untouched.
For more news and updates on golf membership rights, visit Filipinokami.com.
