‘Name who among us are ‘abusive’’ – City dads

SO who’s the “councilor lawyer” who allegedly ended up owning a restobar in uptown Cebu City that was previously closed by City Hall for business  permit violations?

The allegation of a tabloid columnist who described but didn’t name the individual, yesterday prompted three Cebu city councilors to heatedly deny they were involved.

In a privilege speech at the City Council, Councilor Sisinio Andales challenged the columnist,  Efren Lonzon of Superbalita, to name the official alluded to in his column titled “Abuso sa Konsehal”.

“I was shocked and shamed by the innuendo,.. It’s so embarrassing for a lawyer and councilor to abuse his power,” said Andales.

“I’m not the one alluded to in the column, “ said Councilor Jose Daluz.

A third councilor, Edgar Labella, said he doesn’t own a restobar.

Cebu Daily News sought the comment of lawyer Gerry Carillo, whose term as councilor ended in June 2010.

He said he was legal counsel of Club Juliana along Mango Avenue but doesn’t own  shares in the business.  He said he was the lawyer of the bar’s original owners, which included Japanese and Korean businessmen, and worked for its sale to its present Chinese owner, who is also a client.

“If it’s true I’m one of the owners, I don’t see anything wrong there,” Carillo said. He  suggested that the other lawyer- councilors  sue the  columnist.

The column said the unnamed  councilor-lawyer now co-owns a restobar previously owned by a Japanese and Korean, which he helped close years ago due to business operations violations. /Reporter Doris C. Bongcac