Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Don’t let rift hurt basic services: Vidal
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is worried that the dispute between Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza and businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr. will affect the delivery of basic services to the people.
“I hope they will come to a mutual understanding so that the people will not be deprived of the certain services they need, especially the daily basic services for the people,” he said.
Radaza and Pelaez have exchanged accusations of wrongdoing.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas is investigating the mayor for alleged anomalies in the P23-million purchase of personal computers.
City Hall also closed the Marina Mall, which is owned by Pelaez, for lack of required permits and non-payment of taxes. It also threatened to demolish other establishments owned by Pelaez.
However, the mall opened nine hours later after the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) asserted its jurisdiction over the establishment.
Last Saturday, in a three-hour dialogue between the tenants of the Mall and Radaza, the tenants failed to get any assurance that their businesses will not be disturbed.
City Attorney Vincent Joseph Lim said Pelaez has to secure a building permit and other requirements from the City.
But Pelaez insisted that he has permits from Peza, making the operations of his tenants legal.
Mayor Radaza, after a fluvial procession yesterday, defended himself from the accusations hurled against him by Pelaez.
After the icon of the Virgin of the Rule was returned to its parish, Fr. Bob Villanueva gave Radaza time to speak to the devotees on the microphone before he started the mass.
Without naming names, Radaza he said the truth will come out in the end because the one who was been accusing him of corruption is the one that is violating the law by not complying with the National Building Code and has evaded paying his taxes.
He also said that there are also some businessmen who resorted to offering a share to certain city officials as long as they are given special treatment.
Radaza was among those who carried the carroza of the Virgin from the Muelle Osmeña wharf, which is less 20 meters from the church.
Cardinal Vidal said he has not been asked to mediate between the mayor and Radaza.
“I am not very, very keen about (the issue) because I was always out (of Cebu). I don’t intend to enter into legal matters because I don’t know (those things). As much as possible, when there are questions or criticisms raised, (they must) try to answer those questions (while) attending to the primary needs of the people,” Vidal advised the two conflicting leaders.
Vidal arrived Sunday from a trip in Manila.
The prelate could not contain his worry over what is happening in Cebu and the country that he mentioned this in his homily. He officiated the ordination of three priests yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.(NRC/AIV)
