CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) has ordered an emergency hearing on a dispute involving the Morning Mist Village Homeowners Association Inc. (MMVHOAI), summoning officials of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-10 to respond to a petition seeking to stop a scheduled homeowners' assembly.
The legal standoff escalated after news broke that Morning Mist takes DHSUD to court in a petition for injunction filed by the homeowners association on July 20, asking the commission to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against a DHSUD-directed emergency assembly set for July 23.
The case arose from a petition for injunction filed by the homeowners association on July 20, asking the commission to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against a DHSUD-directed emergency assembly set for July 23.
HSAC Chief Regional Adjudicator Rhona B. Albarece scheduled the hearing after receiving the petition, citing the need to immediately hear the parties because of the scheduled assembly.
In an order issued Tuesday, the commission also directed DHSUD-10 Regional Director Paris Raymond S. Gaballo to file a verified answer within 15 calendar days from receipt of the summons.
Contacted for comment, Gaballo said the agency would not discuss the case while it is pending before the commission.
"We will refrain from commenting on the matter as respect and courtesy to the ongoing proceeding," Gaballo said in a letter dated July 21.
The dispute stems from DHSUD's directive calling for an emergency assembly to address the leadership of the homeowners association.
MMVHOAI maintains that its incumbent board remains in office under a two-year term approved by homeowners in a 2022 referendum and notes that regular elections are already scheduled for Aug. 22.
Highlighting growing community friction, reports indicate Morning Mist residents oppose DHSUD board takeover as the association informed the commission that nearly 200 homeowners signed a petition expressing opposition to the planned assembly.
HSAC has yet to rule on the association's request for a temporary restraining order or on the merits of the petition.
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