‘Cebu City Hall should settle P5.2 M food bill’

CEBU City Hall can settle the P5.2 million bill being charged by a caterer for packed meals it delivered to election personnel during the Oct. 2010 barangay elections.

City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez said even if they haven’t received a copy of the complaint filed by Cebu Red Carpet Catering Service, a settlement cannot be ruled out.

“If the evidence would warrant that indeed the catering services delivered in favor of the city of Cebu  those items, then it is but right that we have to pay on the principle of unjust enrichment,” Bernaldez said.

Cebu Red Carpet Catering Services filed a complaint with the Regional Trial Court for payment of the P5.2 million.

It also demanded an additional 12 percent interest computed since Oct. 2010 along with legal expenses.

The civil suit was directed at Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and former city treasurer and now financial adviser Ofelia Oliva.

Bernaldez said one of the city’s accounts worth P124 million was frozen by a court order.

He said the amount can be used for legal remedies of the city.

The account is one of several being garnished for payment of the P132 million supposedly owed by the city to the Rallos heirs, whose property was expropriated in the 60s.

The Rallos case is still pending at the Court of Appeals, the city legal officer said.

Bernaldez said they are also asking for additional financial incentives as well as personnel for their office which has 38 employees. Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao