COUNCILOR Gerardo Carillo admitted that Kuerks Restaurant Ltd. Co. is owned by his girlfriend.
His only participation in the bar is that he provides voluntary legal advice.
Kuerks was closed by the Cebu City Government last Tuesday for various violations.
The violations included the failure to settle social amelioration taxes, failure to renew business permit, which also means failure to pay business taxes for this year, violation of the anti-noise ordinance, serving liquor without permit and within the 100-meter radius of a school.
Kuerks is located at Aznar Parking Lot, Osmeña Blvd., Barangay Kamagayan. It is across the University of San Carlos (USC) law school building.
Carillo said Kuerks is already processing documentation for the business permit. The permit was issued to one Marie Giev Flores.
But as to what documents have been submitted, Carillo said, “I think they are in a better position to answer that.”
Carillo repeated this line at least five times over the course of the ambush interview with reporters after the newly elected councilor attended the regular session.
He also denied giving money to the family of Jan Niño Pogoy, who is still recovering in a hospital for severe head injuries. His family alleged that Carillo bashed him with a rock but until today, the victim’s family has not yet decided whether to file a complaint against the councilor or not.
Pogoy reportedly received money from Carillo’s lawyer Noel Archival.
Carillo said it was Archival’s money, not his. The councilor also admitted that his friends also offered to give financial help to the victim.
Asked for more details of the reported financial assistance, Carillo said, “They are in a better position to answer that.”
As to his presence at the bar, Carillo said he supplies the ice and the water of the bar and a few others. He was there to monitor the supplies delivered.
It was also raised by a reporter that Carillo’s city-issued vehicle was seen in the area. The councilor said his official vehicle was only issued recently and is parked overnight at the City Hall parking lot.
If he goes to Kuerks to eat, Carillo said he uses his other vehicles.
Carillo also believes the establishment has a special permit to serve alcohol after 10 p.m.
But when asked when the permit was issued, again, Carillo said, “They are in a better position to answer that.”
Mayor Michael Rama has often repeated that all special permits to serve alcohol have been revoked and issuance of one has been discouraged.
As far as City Attorney Jerone Castillo is concerned, he has not received any documentation to reopen Kuerks or communication to settle obligations.
But he said that the closure is a good thing so that students would not be tempted to drink.
“It’s conducive to drinking after class. At least, there won’t be any more temptation to students so we are actually helping a lot of them,” said Castillo.
Rama refused to comment on the incident involving his fellow elected official.
“He’s a lawyer. He got into the situation and he has a lot to face. Let’s not add to that,” said Rama.