BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Mile Hi group has filed three separate complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) president and CEO Manjit T. Singh Reandi, while his camp has rejected the allegations and vowed to contest them through legal channels.

In a statement, the group said the complaints cover three distinct matters involving Camp John Hay: the closure of establishments at the Mile Hi Complex, a lease transaction involving the Bell House Library/Café, and records linked to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

Each complaint was filed separately and assigned its own control number, and all are currently under evaluation by the Ombudsman.

The filings, which total about 500 pages of affidavits and supporting documents, were structured as independent cases due to differing facts and legal grounds, according to the group.

It said the complaints were submitted after efforts to address the issues through institutional channels, including the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs.  

The Mile Hi group emphasized that the complaints contain allegations submitted for investigation, that no findings of liability have been made, and that all respondents are entitled to due process.

One complaint questions the issuance and enforcement of closure orders affecting establishments at the Mile Hi Complex, raising issues on whether due process and proper administrative procedures were observed before operations were halted. The issue stems from the November 2025 closure of several outlets inside Camp John Hay, which the group has said disrupted business operations.

Another complaint centers on the Bell House Library/Café property. According to the filing, a proposal to operate a café was submitted in August 2024 and acknowledged, but the proponent was later informed that the property was not available for lease. The complaint states that JHMC later entered into a lease agreement with another private entity in October 2025, raising questions on how the arrangement was made and whether there were clear criteria or opportunities for participation.

A third complaint cites Department of Public Works and Highways projects identified in the filing with a combined contract value of about ₱26.5 million. According to the complaint, procurement and corporate records attached to the filing identify a contractor and include disbursement entries totaling at least ₱16.25 million. The filing asks the Ombudsman to examine the records cited, including procurement documents, corporate records, and disclosures, in relation to the respondent’s prior affiliations and subsequent appointments as JHMC director in April 2024 and CEO in April 2025.  

All three complaints are currently in the evaluation stage, the preliminary phase where the Ombudsman determines whether the filings warrant further investigation.

‘Baseless’

In a separate statement dated April 14, Reandi’s legal counsel disputed the allegations, describing them as “baseless” and expressing confidence that the complaints will not prosper even at the preliminary stage. The statement underscored that “an accusation is not synonymous with guilt” and said Reandi remains committed to the principle that public office is a public trust.

His camp said he welcomes constructive criticism but will not condone what it described as false or malicious accusations, and is prepared to respond through proper legal processes. It added that Reandi will pursue all appropriate legal remedies, including filing cases against individuals or entities over claims he described as defamatory.

The complaints come amid a continuing dispute between JHMC and Mile Hi locators over closure orders implemented in November 2025. JHMC had earlier maintained that the closures were based on expired lease agreements, unpaid obligations, and regulatory violations, while the Mile Hi group has questioned the timing and process of the enforcement. – Rappler.com