Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Nalzaro: Radaza’s ‘backer’ By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE reason why Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo “Boy” Radaza is bold enough to disregard a court order is probably because of his connection with Malacañang. According to a source, Radaza’s political backer is no less than President Arroyo’s personal aide, a Cebuana but who is married to a foreigner.
The source claimed that this Malacañang aide is very close to Radaza and frequently visits the mayor. In fact, this Palace aide built a multi-million peso house in Barangay Mactan where the wife of the mayor, Paz, is the incumbent barangay captain.
In 2005, City Hall filed a petition expropriating lots owned by businessman Michel Lhuillier (530 square meters), former Cebu City councilor Avenescio Piramide (78 square meters), spouses Herminio and Mercy Ladia (78 square meters) and LBL Industries Inc. (2,750 square meters).
In 2006, Judge Geraldine Faith Econg, who was temporarily assigned in Lapu-Lapu, granted the petition and executed a writ of possession upon payment of the compensation to the lot owners. The City Government then opened a road that passed by the residence of the Malacañang aide. A sister-in-law of this Palace aide also constructed a house nearby.
While government has the power to expropriate properties for public use, we can question the propriety of the Lapu-Lapu City Government's action.
Did City Hall initiate the expropriation proceedings on its own or was it done upon the request of the Malacañang aide?
Was it necessary to open a new road in the area? Who and how many people benefited from it? If the road was constructed to serve the interest of this Malacañang aide, then the act is highly questionable and irregular.
I think the Ombudsman should investigate this matter to determine whether the City Government opened the road for the purpose of serving the interest of the majority or merely to do the bidding of a favored individual.
I went to Lapu-Lapu recently and observed that some city streets are not properly maintained. But this new road, according to a source, is well developed, complete with a drainage system and a cemented gutter.
This issue could be another blow to the already shattered image of Radaza.
