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Sunday, September 30, 2007
Chiefs speak up for Lapu mayor
CEBU CITY -- Barangay chiefs and majority of the 68 different urban poor associations in Lapu-Lapu City threw their support behind Mayor Arturo Radaza and vowed to hold a big rally to denounce businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr.
“We won’t say that the mayor is innocent, but at least he (Pelaez) should let the investigation establish the truth and not convict the mayor in the media,” said Leo Mercado, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC).
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Pelaez, president of the Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has accused the Radaza administration of corrupt practices. He has filed a graft complaint for the P23-million purchase of 470 personal computers, which he said could have been bought at half the price.
Erlinda Beduya, president of the Federation of Lapu-Lapu Presidents of Urban Poor Associations, said Pelaez and his group of businessmen should donate lots to the urban poor rather than criticize the Radaza administration for the growing number of squatters.
The federation has 8,222 household members in Lapu-Lapu.
A survey last year showed that the number of squatters from Barangay Pajo down to Barangay Punta Engaño increased by 1,000 families. But the group said it has directed all their leaders to stop accepting new members.
Mercado, Beduya and four other village chiefs, including Radaza’s wife Paz, attended the press conference Saturday held at a food store in Lapu-Lapu.
Paz is the barangay chairman of Mactan and chairperson of the solid waste management program of the City.
“It is so unfair that the media is setting the public’s mind about the allegations against the mayor. There are also things that the mayor should be credited for. The allegation about a computer scam should be left to the ombudsman’s office to ascertain,” Paz said in an interview.
She is also ready to open the books of accounts of their businesses, including the Plaza Radaza in Barangay Poblacion, if Pelaez doubts that they are not paying taxes.
Pelaez had warned that he will lead a “people power” to show disgust over the “rampant” corruption at City Hall.
He also belied the accusation that he is a tax evader. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is checking on his payments. But Pelaez said there are no tax dues for a P18-million sale of a condominium unit because this fell through. He said the court case in relation to this has been dismissed.
But Paz’s group said the case that Florence Chan, who bought one of his condominium units in Cebu City, filed is still pending at Branch 7 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
They presented a document showing that Pelaez’s demurrer of evidence was dismissed by the court last March 5, 2007.
Prosecutor Victor Laborte gave credence to the statement and evidence submitted by Chan that she paid P18 million to Pelaez for his condominium, but the businessman never turned over the title.
Last Aug. 28, Chan’s lawyer, Bernardito Florido, wrote the clerk of court to schedule a hearing on Oct. 4. He also asked that the records custodian of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board in Cebu City be summoned to bring the records of the case.
Meanwhile, Punta Engaño Barangay Captain Angel Rodriguez, a former ally of Mayor Radaza, said he doubts Mercado was speaking for all members of the ABC.
He said supporting Radaza on the alleged computer scam is up to the discretion of barangay officials. (AIV of Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (September 30, 2007 issue)
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