Philcadan settlers ask court to stop M’daue demolition

AN urban poor group opposing the demolition of their houses along the Mahiga Creek is taking various legal actions to stop it.

Roberto Letaba, leader of the Philcadan settlers, filed a request with the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a lifestyle check of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Letaba also applied for a temporary restraining order and injunction with the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City to stop any demolition.

On Monday, the group plans to file criminal and administrative charges against the mayor.

Letaba, who received a notice of demolition for his house, represents settlers in Philcadan in sitio Rosal, barangay Orel, who oppose being moved out of a three-meter easement zone.

He questioned the mayor’s financial assets, saying Cortes had a multimillion- peso house being built in barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City, and acquired other real and personal properties during his incumbency as city mayor.

“We are not accusing the mayor of corruption. It’s up to the Ombudsman to determine whether or not he has done anything wrong,” he said in an interview.

Letaba said the Mandaue city government should ensure an “adequate relocation site” but that the area chosen in barangay Paknaan is a mangrove and swampy area.

“When it’s high tide, seawater enters the house. The area also gets flooded,” Letaba said.

Assistant Deputy Ombudsman Virginia Santiago, in an interview, said the urban poor group should first wait for the court to resolve the issues before they file a complaint with the anti-graft office.ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL