SC rejects Caloocan's petition against Malabon over boundary dispute

The Supreme Court (SC) rejected Caloocan City's petition for certiorari against Malabon City regarding a boundary dispute over Barangays Libis and Baesa, citing improper legal procedures.

Caloocan challenged the constitutionality of Malabon's city charter from 2001, which it claimed included Caloocan land without voter approval.

In a 21-page decision promulgated in November 2024 but made public in February 2025, Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr. noted that joint referral to the Sanggunian of the concerned local government units is required before any legal action can be taken.

The court emphasized its policy of avoiding constitutional rulings when other grounds can resolve a controversy and directed both cities to comply with Section 118(d) and (e) of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Rule III of its Implementing Rules and Regulations without prejudice to judicial recourse as provided in the said law.

Malabon argued that the areas have always been under its jurisdiction, a claim supported by records from the Geodetic Survey Division of the Lands Management Bureau.