Petitioner seeks TRO on construction of new Pasig City Hall

(FILE PHOTO) MANIC MONDAY Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto had his hands full dealing with a graft complaint and protesters who turned out to be from Quezon City. —PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK OF GALING POOK

MANILA, Philippines — A petition seeking a temporary restraining order against the construction of the new Pasig City Hall has been filed in the city’s regional trial court.

It was filed by Alejandro dela Vega Sanoy last August 19, against respondents Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert Vincent Jude Jaworski, Jr., Councilors Raymund Francis Rustia, Corazon Raymundo, Simon Gerard Tantoc, Paul Roman Santiago, Noel Agustin, Roderick Mario Gonzales, Marion Rosalio Martires, Keil Custillas, Maria Luisa De Leon, and Mark Gil delos Santos as members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

READ: Vico Sotto unveils plan for new Pasig City Hall complex

In his 39-page petition, Sanoy said the respondents allocated P9.6 billion “from the city coffers for the demolition and construction of a new city hall of Pasig City—which amount could have been spent in developing a community-based and a more responsive health care delivery.”

He mentioned that cause-oriented groups, last March, submitted a policy proposal for the development of “people-centered primary healthcare” which the Office of the Mayor “never responded to nor acknowledged.”

Sanoy sought to “declare as void” Resolution No. 42-11, approved on March 11 this year, which authorized the Pasig City government to enter into a multi-year contract for the procurement of design and build services, demolition of existing structures within the Pasig City Hall compound, and construction of the new Pasig City Hall.

He likewise urged the court to “declare as null and void” Ordinance No. 75, series of 2023 prescribing the guidelines for the issuance of a Multi-Year Contract Authority.

Additionally, Sanoy sought to nullify Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2024, passed by the council on March 4, which allotted a supplemental budget of P6.4 billion to finance additional expenses, projects, and programs.

READ: Vico Sotto confronts QC protesters vs new city hall in Pasig

Last August 12, Sotto confronted “protesters” rallying against the construction of the new city, only to find out that they were actually from Quezon City and not Pasig.

Sotto said he received information that more than 300 Pasigueños would conduct a protest in front of the Pasig City Hall.  Noting that he is open to answering questions, the local chief executive said he personally went to the designated area and faced the protesters.

When he arrived, however, Sotto said all he got was people allegedly handpicked from Quezon City who did not even know why they were brought to Pasig City.