SM explains side on garnishment case

SM Development Corp. does not possess any personal properties belonging to the Cebu City government, according to an official of the company.

Jose Gabionza, vice president for Business Planning and Special Projects of SM Development Corp., submitted to the court its reply to the notice of garnishment issued by sheriff Antonio Bellones.

“Please be informed that as of date of this report, SM Development Corp. has no goods, effects, interests, credits, monies, stocks, shares, and all other personal properties that are in its possession belonging to the City of Cebu or debts owing by us to the City of Cebu,” Gabionza said.

Early this month, Bellones flew to Manila to serve notices of garnishment to three SM companies doing business with the Cebu city government.

SM is building a mall at the South Road Properties (SRP) of Cebu City.

The notices were issued in relation to a court order requiring the city to settle its dues to the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos over a lot it expropriated in 1963.

Last Oct. 1, the amount due to the Rallos family reached P133,469,962.55, including interest.

The same notices of garnishment were sent to the Land Bank of the Philippines and Philippine Postal Bank in Cebu City and Development Bank of the Philippines and Philippine Veterans Bank along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.

Last Thursday, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama filed a complaint against the sheriff before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas for immediately enforcing the court order.

Bellones, who retired last Tuesday, was ordered by the court to “immediately desist and relinquish” his duty in executing the writ of execution of the case. The order was issued on the same day the sheriff was in Manila to serve the notices of garnishment to SM.