Urban poor group files plaint against councilor

AN URBAN poor group in barangay Luz filed a complaint against Cebu city councilor Nida Cabrera for allegedly violating laws against squatting syndicates and professional squatting.

The Officers of Barangay Luz Urban Poor Fraternal Organization (BLUPFO) wrote to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Visayas Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.

Diosdada Martinez, president of the sitio Mabuhay Homeowners Association in barangay Luz, was included in the complaint. BLUPFO officials accused both of facilitating the delisting of 32 households from their roster and occupation of professional squatters to areas where houses were demolished.

Cabrera is the president of sitio Nangka Homeowners Association and part of the council’s housing committee.

The group claimed in its letter that Martinez worked for the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

The group led by its president Generosa Corbeta and vice president Lucena Fabular claimed that Cabrera and Martinez provided a list of assumees or occupants who do not reside in the barangay, have already owned houses in other places and are therefore not qualified to assume our lots.”

BLUPFO has 35 members from sitios Mabuhay Nangka, and Lubi. /Correspondent Tweeny Malinao