Kin of Serendra blast victim seek damages for ‘wrongful death’
A section of Two Serendra condominium hit by an explosion in the upscale Bonifacio Global City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Relatives of the man who died in the May 31 explosion at Two Serendra condominium in Taguig City are seeking damages from Ayala Corp. for the “wrongful death” of their loved one.
Speaking to reporters at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Wednesday, Raymond Fortun, counsel of Angelito San Juan, said he had been “notified” by his client’s family to “already initiate legal steps (against Ayala Corp.) in order to obtain compensation.”
San Juan was the main of three fatalities of the blast that ripped through Unit 501-B at the upscale condominium at 8:30 p.m. on May 31.
Earlier, Fortun, who is also the counsel of the unit owner Marianne Cayton, said he would ask Ayala Corp. to pay his client (Cayton) P30 million in damages and replace her unit as per her demands.
In San Juan’s case, Fortun said he would send a demand letter to the company on Thursday.
Article continues after this advertisement“Give (Ayala) the opportunity to respond,” Fortun said.
Article continues after this advertisementHe said that if Ayala Corp. refuses to comply with the demands of San Juan’s family, then he would file a suit.
San Juan’s family is seeking to be compensated with financial remuneration equivalent to three years of the victim’s salary as a data architect for a California-based company, Fortun said.
He said the compensation being sought covered three years of San Juan’s salary because “that was the expectation—that San Juan would still live and make a living.”
Authorities have attributed the blast to a liquefied petroleum gas leak from the main gas supply line of the Two Serendra building.
In a report released only recently, the InterAgency Task Force said two Ayala companies—Makati Development Corp., the property developer of Two Serendra; and Bonifacio Gas Corp., the supplier of LPG to the building—could be held criminally liable.
It also said that Cayton, the caretaker of the unit; officials of RM Larido Construction Services, which renovated the apartment; and Two Serendra Inc., may face criminal charges for the explosion.
Fortun has questioned a portion of the report that said Cayton could be held criminally liable.
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