Wednesday, March 07, 2007 Hearing for mandamus case on Happy Bingo set Wednesday By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
JUDGE Ramon Delearte of Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 49 will start hearing Wednesday the mandamus suit filed by the Puentevella camp against the Leonardia bloc on the issue of Happy Bingo operations.
"Let's face it," said City Legal Officer Allan Zamora, one of the accused, adding that he is unfazed because he knew that he is on the right track.
He stood pat on his legal stand that Phuture Visions Corporation Inc., a corporation manned by the sons of Representative Monico Puentevella hasn't applied for Mayor's Permit for its Bingo operations at SM City.
But lawyer Jesus Hinlo, counsel for PVCI, said they applied on July 2006 and their letter-application has already been approved by City and have issued the claim slip.
Zamora said the claim slip that Hinlo showed as proof was only altered by a casual employee, Marissa Dejilla, at the City's Licensing and Permits Division.
Based on records, Zamora said PVCI only renewed its Mayor's Permit last January on personnel and entertainment services with local address at 26th street Lacson, Barangay 5, Bacolod.
Happy Bingo, on the other hand, is located at SM City, which is part of Barangay 12.
Zamora's claim was also supported by the statement of CPLDO chief Ardis Jaculina who also revealed that PVCI has not applied for Bingo operations.
But in case PVCI really wants to operate the Happy Bingo, then they have to apply and secure all necessary documents needed and the city won't deprive their rights, Jaculina said.
Zamora said, "Just the follow the law."
Hinlo, however, said his clients are legitimate businessmen and are not joining politics.
What the city did against Happy Bingo, it's tantamount to harassment and oppression against Puentevella's sons, Hinlo said, adding that such gesture is also scaring investors away from Bacolod.
