OSG studies report on mall parking fees

Sen. Renato Cayetano has welcomed Solicitor General Ricardo Galvez's decision to consider the Senate report calling for legal action against shopping malls that continue to charge patrons for the use of parking facilities.

"We understand the Solicitor General is just awaiting formal communication from the Senate so his office could initiate the necessary action," Cayetano said.

The Senate committees on trade and commerce and on justice and human rights earlier declared as "illegal" the practice of malls of charging customers for the use of parking spaces.

In a joint report, the two committees then urged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to take the proper legal action against mall owners and operators.

"We will study the Senate report. If there is enough basis, we will promptly file a petition for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction before a lower court to stop malls from collecting parking fees," Galvez said.

Galvez said the OSG could file the petition for a TRO before any regional trial court in the country.

The National Building Code requires malls and other commercial establishments to provide parking spaces, but does not specify whether or not such should be provided free of charge.

However, members of the two Senate committees were convinced the law intended the parking facilities be free of charge to mall patrons.

The report of the two panels was based on the results of an inquiry conducted pursuant to a resolution filed by Cayetano, justice and human rights committee chair.