The transfer of Talisay’s public market to its new location near the Mananga Bridge is still causing ripples.
A physician and his wife filed a civil case against Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez and several other officials for closing their establishment that caters to former occupants of the old Talisay City public market.
Dr. Jesus Nacario and his wife Nieves asked the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City to issue a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop city officials from enforcing a cease-and-desist order issued against them.
The couple owns Nacario Trade Center, a commercial establishment near the old market where some of the market’s former occupants rented space to go on with their business.
These occupants refused to move to the new public market in barangay Lagtang.
Aside from Fernandez, also named respondents are City Legal Officer Owen Algoso, the Talisay City Council and the Cebu Provincial Board.
The couple also asked the court to issue a writ of preliminary injunction to prohibit the respondents from closing their business pending the resolution of the case.
They also asked for P300,000 in damages and P600,000 as litigation expenses and attorney’s fees.
The couple said their “commercial leasing business” has been operating since 2005.
They said they complied with all conditions of their permits and license, and pay property taxes.
The couple said their business became the object of the officials’ “oppressive and rigid imposition of power” due to the the refusal of many vendors to relocate to the new Talisay Public Market.
The Talisay City Legal Officer wrote to the couple stating that the Nacario Trade Center is a “legal private market”.
He advised the couple to “secure necessary permits for its operation.”
Regional Trial Court Judge Estela Alma Singco of Branch 12 has yet to rule on the request for the issuance of a TRO. /REporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL