Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Itinigil na rin ng Korte: Nevada court agrees to vacate stay on Marinduque-Barrick case.

Order from the Court reinstating briefing filed on July 17, 2014.
"...any request to extend the briefing schedule will be disfavored."

In the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada was issued on July 17, 2014, the order reinstating briefing in connection with the case filed by the Provincial Government of Marinduque vs. Placer Dome, Inc.

The Court said: "Based on respondents' assertions in the updated status report filed on June 30, 2014, indicating that despite significant efforts the parties were unable to reach a settlement, we vacate the stay imposed by our December 6, 2011, order and reinstate briefing..."

It will be recalled that respondents to the case earlier requested the Court on June 30, 2014, to vacate the stay, restore the appeal to the Court's active calendar, and schedule the completion of briefing so that said appeal may proceed to conclusion.

The Court added thus: "Given the length of time that this appeal has remained in the court's docket while the parties pursued settlement, any request to extend the briefing schedule will be disfavored."

Meanwhile, even as no formal rejection to-date of the controversial terms and conditions stipulated in the proposed settlement agreement has been issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque, the concerned Marinduque provincial officials, even with recent developments, still could not make up their mind on the issue. It is apparent, however, that whatever belated formal position the province might have on the issue that has provoked prolonged protests in the island-province has become "moot and academic" according to a local official who requested anonymity.

It will be recalled that prominent names from national institutions have engaged in last-ditch efforts to change the tide of protests. Some were seen resorting to unfounded claims in what appears as outright deception to Marinduque stakeholders who remained firm and strong, however, in rejecting the unacceptable deal and pushing instead for real environmental justice for the island-province and its people.

The quest for environmental justice for Marinduque, thus continues - in the USA, in Canada, or elsewhere.

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