THE contractor of the median structure and street lighting project on Katipunan St. in Barangay Labangon was grilled yesterday by suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s lawyers.
Gil Hamoy of Falco Construction was the first witness presented by Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia’s lawyers during the continuation of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) hearing on the administrative complaint against Rama.
Buendia filed the complaint against Rama for ordering the allegedly unlawful demolition of the median structure in 2014.
In yesterday’s hearing, Buendia’s counsel, lawyer Benjamin Militar, asked Hamoy about his occupation, background and his knowledge on the P1.4-million project that was demolished by the City upon orders of Rama.
Hamoy said he is a contractor for civil works and has the business permits to operate. His firm is also accredited by the Philippine Accreditation’s Board (Pcab).
He also said that his firm has been given a Category B accreditation by Pcab, which means he can undertake projects worth P50 million.
Since his construction firm started operating in 2000, Hamoy said he has been able to undertake both private and government projects.
When Militar asked him how he learned about the project in Labangon, Hamoy said Buendia invited him to handle it.
As to how many other contractors joined the bidding for the project, Hamoy said he had no idea.
When asked who signed the program of works and estimates for the project, the contractor said it was approved by the barangay engineer, the head engineer of the Department of Engineering and Public Works and Rama.
Militar asked if he understood the plans for the project. Hamoy answered it involved the construction of a barrier at the corner of Katipunan and Salvador St. and the installation of lampposts, among other works.
Rama’s lead counsel, City Legal Office chief Atty. Jerone Castillo, questioned Hamoy’s competence in identifying the plans for the project, considering that it was not mentioned throughout the proceedings that he is an engineer. Hamoy said he is a licensed electrical engineer.
“You are an electrical engineer and you are qualified to identify civil works? That is civil works,” Castillo said.
Hamoy said he has been handling civil works and electrical projects since 2000. Being an engineer, he said he can understand the details in the plans.
When Militar tried to ask the contractor more questions, Castillo and other lawyers of Rama registered their objection.
“We cannot allow subsequent questions on civil engineering when admittedly, he is only an electrical engineer,” Castillo said.
Militar reiterated that Hamoy is a contractor duly accredited by Pcab.
Castillo then asked the DILG hearing officer Atty. Isidro Barrios III to suspend the hearing of the case due to the “incompetence” of the witness.
After several arguments, Barrios decided to suspend the hearing due to lack of time. The hearing started at 2 p.m. and ended past 5 p.m.
The DILG scheduled another hearing today so Hamoy can continue to testify.