Judge issues order vs Tabunok market closure

VENDORS at the Talisay City public market in barangay Tabunok have something to smile about.

Regional Trial Court Judge Douglas Marigomen of Branch 5 yesterday restrained Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez from closing the market.
The temporary restraining order is good for 20 days.

But the mayor already vowed not to close the old market until June 28 or beyond.

Fernandez took the witness stand during the hearing yesterday.

While there is no resolution tranferring the vendors to the new public market in barangay Lagtang, Fernandez said most of the councilors have voiced support on the move to house stall owners in their 2.7-hectare facility.

“I try my best to enhance the already established public market. The heart of the mayor of Talisay is not to close their livelihood,” the mayor said in open court.

Some of the vendors complained about the move to transfer them to the public market in Lagtang since they have to submit business permits so they will be eligible stall owners in the new market.

The transition period starts today until June 28.

Based on a report from the city’s engineering department, Fernandez said there are more available stalls in the new public market.

Fernandez’s lawyer Owen Algoso said there is nothing the court should enjoin because the old public market wouldn’t be closed until June 28.
“What is there to enjoin? The order (of the court) has no effect,” Algoso said.

Around 80 vendors went to the Palace of Justice to attend the hearing yesterday.

Some of them had to stay outside the courtroom.

While waiting for the proceedings to finish, the vendors and stall owners prayed.

Fernandez said he has to make use of the new public market which has been built years ago otherwise the infrastructure will become a “white elephant.”