Cabanlas bares Council's blunder in Carmen Market

OPPOSITION Councilor Edgar Cabanlas went on to grill anew the City Council's majority group for allowing a Chinese trader to dupe the city government on matters relating to so-called "unfavorable" business transaction.

Citing a violation on the provision of contract, Cabanlas said the majority councilors' approval of Chinese national Jacky Cheng to operate the whole second floor of the Carmen Market -- where the P250-million Unitop Department Store and Supermarket is located as well as some portion of the market's ground floor -- is tantamount to a dubious "business blunder".

Based on early report, Atty. Leon Gan said the alleged major violation made by Cheng is when he "subleased the entire second floor by accepting Unitop Department Store and Supermarket" as his tenant.

Cheng's rented area at the ground floor has also been subleased to some tenants.

According to the stipulated contract, Gan said, Cheng is not allowed to sub-lease the building and that he was only required to use it based on what was agreed: "By putting up his own store and not to accept tenants."

"Subleasing the building to other parties is a grave offense," Gan explained. "And this what prompted City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano to issue orders to cancel the contract of Cheng's business."

Cabanlas agreed that the cancellation of contract could be the right decision.

"But it could have been avoided if the majority of the councilors have made a thorough study and investigation of Cheng before they lift their hand for approval," Cabanlas said.

Other violation allegedly made by Cheng is the non-construction of police posts inside the market which was also included in the agreement.

Gan said the Chinese trader did not also accommodate the vendors who earlier occupied the second floor, which is in contrast to his early promise to relocate them to a better place.

In the agreement, Gan said, Cheng will shoulder the construction of the stalls outside the area where the vendors will be relocated.

"But until now, no action has been taken," Gan said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Emano stressed out that he will not tolerate such kind of violations.

"He will be held liable to his actions," Emano said of Cheng, adding the City Government will be forced to take over the building with Unitop and the other tenants deemed to pay their rent to them. (NJM)