IN THE midst of protests over the public market development, City Administrator and People Selection Committee (P4-SC) head Bonifacio dela Peña assured that corruption has not tainted the decisions made.
Dela Pena told SunStar Baguio that the P4-SC is not selling the public market to big corporations but is finding the best way to develop it.
"The P4-SC is here to protect the public interest," added dela Peña.
Previously, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed Memorandum 433 series of 2020, awarding the original proponent status (OPS) to SM Prime Holdings Incorporated (SMPI), disapproving the previous award to Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), causing debate among legislators and the public.
Dela Peña said the P4-SC will again meet on Wednesday, November 11, to form and approve the creation of a negotiating panel, which will be divided into technical and financial teams, composed of P4-SC members and individuals assigned by Magalong to act as observers but will have no power to vote on any matter.
After the meeting, another meeting will be called summoning SMPI to be presented city terms of negotiation, as well as findings of the negotiating panel's technical and financial teams.
The mall giant will also be given the chance to present its terms and will have to be approved by both the city.
If all is approved, negotiation of 45 days will start completing the 90 day requirement.
"I must stress, negotiations may fail, if no meeting of the minds is made," dela Peña said.
Last week, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan signified his decision to get out of the P4-SC, saying he can no longer help in the crafting of the best agreement for the city, because he voted for RLC with majority of members by basis of financial gains the city will enjoy before Magalong rejected the decision of the committee and proceeded to award the OPS to SMPI.