City Council tells Mayor Rama to pay Rallos heirs

THE Cebu City Council yesterday passed a resolution asking Mayor Michael Rama to already comply with the Supreme Court decision and already settle the just compensation claims of the Rallos heirs amounting to P133 million.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., the council’s majority floor leader and acting presiding officer, authored a resolution asking Rama to effect the payment since the SC decision on the case was already final and executory.

“The continued defiance of Mayor Michael Rama to uphold and respect the finality of the decision in civil case no. 20388 as upheld by the Supreme Court in G.R. No. 179662 and G. R. No. 19411 will drag the members of the council for possible indirect contempt sanctions by the Supreme Court as Petition for Indirect Contempt of Court has been filed in the Supreme Court,” said Pe’s resolution.

Delays in settling City Hall’s obligation as ordered by the high court, Pe said, sends a wrong signal to investors in the South Road Properties (SRP).

Councilor Edgar Labella tried to object to Pe’s resolution but he was out-numbered.

He was the lone Rama ally in yesterday morning’s session.

Labella argued that approving Pe’s resolution was premature as there was an “injunctive relief” on the implementation of SC decision.

Councilor Alvin Dizon moved for passage of resoluton but with the inclusion of the phrase: “payments should be in accordance with COA rules.”

Dizon also wanted a copy of Pe’s resolution furnished to COA. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters