News briefs
RAMA LETTER DOOMS CITY HALL ARGUMENT IN APAS CASE
A City Hall lawyer yesterday got a tongue-lashing from the judge hearing the eviction case in barangay Apas where a demolition is set for May 7. .
Lawyer Collin Rosell, DWUP chief, argued before RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras that the Feb. 9, 2008, court ruling affirming the ownership of Mariano Godinez of the 4.7-hectare lot in sitio San Miguel, barangay Apas is not final because City Hall did not receive a copy of the court ruling.
“It is required that Service of Final Judgement as notice should be done,” he told the court during a hearing of the city’s motion for reconsideration.
Judge Peras, however, said the letters sent by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to the court seeking the postponement of the demolition is an acknowledgement of service of final judgement.
“Writing letters (to the court) constitutes a waiver that service of the final decision has been made,” Peras said.
“When Rama requested the court to postpone the demolition, it’s just like an admission that they were informed about the finality of the ruling,” Peras added.
Judge Peras also said the 168 settlers of lot 937 in sitio San Miguel who are members of the Archangel Residents Mergence Inc. (ARMI) couldn’t be considered unprivileged.
The judge gave Godinez five days to comment on the motion for reconsideration filed by the city government.
The motion for reconsideration doesn’t stop the demolition scheduled on Monday, May 7, according to court sheriff El Cid Caballes./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol
MIKE GIVES INCENTIVE, TOMAS SAYS ‘WRONG ENGLISH’
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday distributed to barangay officials a total of P7.128 million as cash incentives.
Political rival Rep. Tomas Osmeña of the south district said the use of the term “incentive” was incorrect.
Incentives should only be given to barangay officials who performed well.
“But if you get it even if you are absent all the time, calling it an incentive is wrong English. What was handed to them were dole-outs,” said Osmeña
According to City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva, each of the city’s 80 barangays received a total of P89,100.
Barangay captains were given P13,500; P8,000 for barangay councilors; P5,400 each for barangay secretary and treasurer; and P8,100 for SK chairman for a total of P7.128 million.
Yesterday’s distribution covers the month of January to March this year.
Rama said the cash incentives to barangay officials were given in recognition of their work in the frontlines of local governance./Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao
