Lahug, Luz agree to defer hearings on boundary feud

BECAUSE all of them, including the Cebu City councilors, are busy on the campaign trail, Lahug and Luz officials agreed to put off the hearing on their boundary dispute until after the May 10, 2010 elections.

The last hearing was in January yet, and succeeding schedules were postponed several times because the barangay officials and the city councilors could not show up.

“They are amenable to have the scheduled hearings conducted after the elections,” said Atty. Jose Marie Poblete, Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary, adding the elections are keeping most of them from attending the hearings.

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Vice Mayor Michael Rama, council presiding officer, last year ordered a swift end to the conflict. He wanted it resolved before the election period.

But factors, including the absence of city councilors from the hearings, delayed the resolution. Lahug officials had the opportunity to start presenting their evidence only last January.

In an interview, Luz Barangay Captain Nida Cabrera said they mutually agreed to have Lahug present its arguments only after the elections.

“We are all so busy and no one can show up for the hearings,” Cabrera said.

Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos is running for the north district congressional seat, while Cabrera is eyeing a city council seat.

Rama is running for mayor and most members of the city council are seeking reelection.

Under the Local Government Code, the city council has 60 days, from the date a boundary dispute is referred to the body, to resolve the matter.

If the body cannot accomplish the task, it should send a certification to the contending parties.

At least 6 years ago

After that, it has 60 more days to hear and settle the conflict if efforts toward a peaceful resolution fail.

Since negotiations by the council committee of three failed to achieve an amicable settlement, the council convened itself into a court.

Luz is through with its presentation of evidence and witnesses and submission of a position paper.

In August 2004, Luz officials led by then barangay captain Nemesio Pagador brought up the claim that the area where the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and the Grand Convention Center are located is part of Luz.

In his affidavit, Pagador said the space used to be part of Sitio Wakwak, while the area where the Grand Convention is was part of Sitio San Vicente.

Lahug officials, on the other hand, considered the claim baseless, citing a 1965 map and a 1966 council resolution that defined barangay boundaries.

De los Santos said their material evidence includes the map and tax declarations issued by the City.