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Updated 5:55 p.m.) DMCI Homes Inc. sees no basis for the demolition of Torre de Manila, saying the controversial condominium project could co-exist with the Rizal Monument in Luneta.

"Our company firmly believes that cultural heritage and progress can co-exist, DMCI Homes project development manager Florence Loreto said Tuesday, citing national monuments built amid high-rise buildings in Indonesia, Cuba and China.

The Supreme Court on June 16 issued a temporary restraining order stopping the building's construction, which can be seen in the visual corridors of the iconic Rizal Monument.

"Wala po kaming sinira, malay po kami sa monumento at nasa labas kami ng boundaries ng Rizal Park," Loreto said.

No laws violated

The National Cultural Heritage Act only bars the destruction and demolition of cultural properties as well as the modification or undertaking of construction in national shrines, Loreto said.

She added that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines also cleared the project because it "was outside the boundaries of the Rizal Park and well to the rear of the Rizal National Monument."

Torre de Manila stands 870 meters away from the monument and 60 meters past the park's boundaries, while the buildings nearest to the monument are 280 meters away.

The company also said it secured a permit to build 49 levels—a basement level, 46 storeys and two penthouse levels—in July 2012, showing the media a copy of the document.

Gemma Cruz Araneta, who served as former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim's cultural advisor, earlier said that the permit Lim issued for the tower's construction only allowed seven storeys to be built.

"Torre de Manila, like all of DMCI projects, undergoes a thorough due diligence process. Iyan din po ang reason kung bakit lahat ng permits ay in place," Loreto said.

DMCI Homes says that there is no reason to demolish Rizal Monument "photobomber" Torre de Manila, saying that the monument's visual corridor could...