MANILA -- The Makati Subway Project is not pushing through anymore. 

In a regulatory filing, the project's private sector proponent, Philippine Infradev Holdings, said the project is no longer economically and operationally feasible because of a Supreme Court ruling that some areas previously within Makati City are now considered part of Taguig.

The company said arbitration proceedings have started with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre to resolve the joint venture agreement with Makati City. 

Philippine Infradev had earlier said that the casualties of the High Court's ruling include the depot and a few stations of the Makati City subway system.

Court ruling to affect Makati subway plans: proponent

Officials broke ground on the $3.7-billion Makati City subway, aimed at bringing relief to tens of thousands of commuters, in December 2018.

The Makati City government earlier said it aimed the subway project to be fully functional by 2023.

For decades, Taguig City and Makati City have been at odds over the ownership of the disputed properties, as well as the renowned financial district BGC, also known as Fort Bonifacio or The Fort.

Following battles in lower courts which started in 1993, the Supreme Court in December 2021 ruled that the area's territorial jurisdiction falls under Taguig City. The Makati City government then filed an omnibus motion for reconsideration before the SC.

But in a resolution in September 2022 but only made public in April 2023 the High Court's Special Third Division denied with finality Makati City's motion for reconsideration, saying that the basic issues it raised had been resolved and "duly considered" by the court in its earlier decision.

In January, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay described the project as "parang ‘di tinadhana" (not meant to be).

Binay, whose husband Luis Campos is now gunning for the Makati mayoral seat, head earlier assured her constituents that she is still looking at other transport projects to help solve the traffic problem in the city and to provide commuters with an affordable means of transportation.