Caterer to file charges vs NAPM official

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An owner of a catering service who served meals at the inaugural rites of President Benigno Aquino III is set to file charges against the coordinator of Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM) - Pampanga chapter over P1.2 million unsettled bills.

A Sun.Star Pampanga source said Saturday that lawyer Sylvia Flores, counsel for Joseph Trajano of JLT Catering Services, has sent a demand letter to NAPM coordinator Alejandra "Sandy" Quiwa-Bansil.

The source said Trajano will formally file charges against Bansil on Monday for failing to pay the balance of P1.2 million and issuing bouncing checks.

The unpaid amount is part of the P2.2 million food contract entered into by Bansil with the JLT Catering Services.

Trajano said in a statement Saturday that his camp has already initiated talks with the representative of Bansil for the settlement of balances.

“Right now we are in the process of a legal settlement. The presscon I have called yesterday was actually an eye-opener for the people involved in the story; and again, I would like to reiterate the fact that I am not in any way dragging the President of the Republic, the NAPM Pampanga Chapter, and the people in the position in the issue,” the statement added.

“What I would really like to happen is for Ms. Sandy to sit down and roll-out her settlement proposal in black and white, which she is doing right as of this time. This would not mean that the story between me, my business and Ms. Alejandra “Sandy” Quiwa Bansil had reached its end. I will be going out in the media again whatever settlement we have agreed upon,” the statement added.

Trajano explained that his purpose of going out in the media is to collect the dues Bansil owes him. "I am opening my doors to Ms. Sandy’s party to any favorable settlement."

Malacañang said Friday that the President Aquino has nothing to do with the controversy involving Trajano and Bansil.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the matter should be addressed to the NAPM, which was one of the volunteer groups of President Aquino during the campaign.

“Labas si Presidente dun because it was contracted by a separate party,” Lacierda told Sun.Star.

The Palace official maintained that they only ordered catering service inside Malacañang. “Kahit sa inauguration hindi kami kumain at hindi namin alam na meron palang ganun,” he added.

Lacierda said he did not personally know Bansil but he will ask the NAPM to look into the matter.

Trajano earlier said he has no intention to disturb the President or NAPM regarding the matter but he appealed for an investigation to know the truth behind the food purchase.

Based on a contract signed on June 26, Trajano was required to prepare 50,000 packs of Peking-style fried chicken, 50,000 bread buns, and 50,000 bottles (350 ml) of water. Each pack is worth P45.

The food packs were delivered at the Quirino Grandstand and the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Aquino’s inaugural ceremony was held at the Quirino Grandstand in the morning of June 30, which was followed by a Street Party in the evening at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Bansil made an initial payment of P1 million and refused to pay the rest, stressing that Trajano breached their contract as the latter only served bread and water at the grandstand.

Trajano meanwhile denied Bansil’s allegation. (Jovi T. De Leon/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

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