Carillo claims Kuerks owned by GF’s family

CEBU City Councilor Gerardo Carillo yesterday said that the controversial Kuerks resto-bar is now owned by the family of his girlfriend, Ara Flores.

He denied having a hand in the bar’s operations. He said he only provides legal advice to management and supplies ice to the establishment.

Carillo also denied reports that he had given money to the family of Jan Niño Pogoy, the 16-year-old he was accused of striking with a rock.

“I did not give any financial assistance. I think it was Atty. (Noel) Archival who gave that and I think it’s better for Atty. Archival to answer that,” he said referring to his lawyer.

Carillo spoke briefly in an interview after yesterday’s session of the City Council.

Asked if the money came from Archival’s own pocket, Carillo said: “I think he was the one who gave the money. Ask him who’s the source.”

PERMIT

Carillo said the Flores family acquired Kuerks from its previous owner, Richard Aznar, whose name appears in City Hall records of the Liquor Licensing Commission and the City Treasurer’s Office. ‘

He insisted the bar has a business permit , but wouldn’t answer when pressed to identify which year.

He said that Kuerks has a special liquor permit which allows it to sell liquor after 10 p.m. and after payment of the P8,000 permit fee.

The Liquor Licensing Commission said no special permits have been issued by Mayor Michael Rama since he started office in 2010.

“I think they (the Flores family) are in a better position to answer that. I don’t know particularly about the business permit. I think they should be the one to profound that,” said Carillo.

City Hall closed down the bar on Tuesday afternoon in compliance with an order given by Mayor Michael Rama.

The Aznars and Flores visited City Hall on Tuesday to ask what was needed to reopen Kuerks. / Chief of Reporter Doris C. Bongcac with reports from Correspondent Edison A. Delos Angeles