Wednesday, March 07, 2007 Nothing personal, Bing tells Newks on 'Bingo war' By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
BACOLOD City MAYOR Evelio Leonardia clarified Monday he has nothing against Representative Monico Puentevella, his wife and sons, on the issue involving Happy Bingo.
"Just obey the law," Leonardia reminded Puentevella.
The mayor's statement was in answer to the claims of the solon's four sons that the act of the city in padlocking their Bingo outlet at SM City Saturday morning was harassment against them and their family.
But Leonardia said they are just implementing the law, adding that the solon's establishment lacked the necessary permit.
The mayor's statement was also bolstered by the City's Permits and Licensing Division Chief Ardis Jaculina who also confirmed that Phuture Visions Corporation, Inc. (PVCI) has not yet applied for Mayor's Permit for its Bingo Operations at SM City in Barangay 12.
Jaculina said based on their records, PVCI only has a renewed Mayor's Permit for Personnel and Entertainment Services with Business Address at 26 street Lacson, Barangay 5, Bacolod.
"We have already advised PVCI people to just secure all necessary requirements needed in securing Mayor's Permit," Jaculina added.
PVCI, through its counsel Jesus Hinlo, on the other hand, will be will filing a mandamus suit against the mayor, among others behind the padlocking of Happy Bingo.
"We will let the court compel the city to reopen Happy Bingo,' he said.
Leonardia, however, is unfazed of the threat to sue him, among others, as he stressed that "We are just acting based on what is stated under the law."
The City Legal Enforcement Team, led by lawyer Vicente Petierre III, executed City Legal Officer Allan Zamora's memorandum to padlock Happy Bingo because it has not obtained the necessary mayor's permit.
Harassment
Hinlo, however, described the move of the city as harassment, oppression and deprivation against his client.
"I am saddened to file mandamus against Mayor Bing and the rest at the City Legal Office because they are also my friends. However, I need to do this for the sake of my client," Hinlo added, stressing that PVCI is doing a legitimate business.
He also said the closure of Happy Bingo also caused the others to lose their jobs.
"If the city can do this to the sons of a congressman, how much more to ordinary people?" Hinlo said, adding that if there are indeed defects on the application, the city is supposed to look for a win-win solution to the problem and not to harass businessmen.
"What they are doing is tantamount to scaring away investors in Bacolod," he said.
