Rallos files contempt raps against Rama anew

ANOTHER contempt charge was filed against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama by one of the heirs of the Rallos family.

Lucina Rallos said the mayor asked the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) not to pay the Rallos any amount despite a notice of garnishment issued to them by the court.

She said the mayor asked the bank to wait for the court’s decision to resolve the city’s motion to quash the Writ of Execution and Notice of Garnishment.

By doing this, Rallos said the mayor intervened in the implementation of a court ruling that mandated the Cebu City government to settle its dues to the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos. The family owned a lot that the city purportedly expropriated for a road in 1963.

Cebu City was earlier ordered to pay P133 million to the Rallos family as compensation for the lot.

Other than Rama, also named respondents in the case are Nicanor Valles, branch manager of the Philippine Veterans Bank; and Ricardo Balbido, president of the same bank.

In an order dated Sept. 23, 2011, Judge Himalaloan gave the go signal for a court sheriff to issue a writ of execution against the city government.

The city filed a motion to quash the writ of execution and notice of garnishment issued by the sheriff to four banks and three SM companies doing business with Cebu City.

Last Oct. 13, a court sheriff was served to Veterans Bank  “order of delivery of money” or notice to release the garnished amount by way of a certified bank check.

Lucina said Valles and Balbibo allegedly acceded to Rama’s request to put on hold the release of the amount pending the court’s resolution.

Last month, Lucina  also filed a petition for indirect  contempt  against Rama  over statements he made to Cebu Daily News questioning the tax obligations of the  Rallos  family.

Cebu Daily News publisher Eileen Mangubat and chief of reporters Doris Bongcac were also named respondents to the petition. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol