Talisay vendors take market closure case to Ombudsman

SEVEN Talisay City market vendors filed a string of complaints against Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Vice Mayor Alan Bucao and the City Council in relation to the recent closure of the old public market in Tabunok.

The vendors filed charges of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct and violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Fernandez and the council before the Ombudsman-Visayas last week.

The complainants are not amenable to the Talisay City government’s plan to transfer them to the new public market in barangay Lagtang.

In their joint-affidavit, the complainants said Fernandez has no authority to order the total closure of the Tabunok Public Market without public hearings and concurrence of the council majority.

“As a result, the total closure and transfer of its operation to the new Talisay Public Market will cause dislocation and displacement and deprive us of livelihood for our families,” the complainants stated.

They said they were shocked when they received notices dated last April 26 from the mayor who informed them about the closure of the old public market on June 28.

Last Friday, the vendors secured a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) from the court against the closure of the old public market.

But Fernandez said he won’t close the old market until June 28.

When Fernandez took the witness stand, the mayor admitted there was no resolution transferring the vendors to the new public market in barangay Lagtang.

He said most of the council voiced support on the move to house stall owners in their 2.7-hectare facility.

Some of the vendors complained about the transfer to the public market in Lagtang since they have to submit business permits to become stall owners in the new market.

The mayor said mandating the vendors to secure their business permits is “legal.”