City eyes legal action against Mango Square

Following his earlier statement to make Mango Square pay P10 million for its alleged violations, Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said the city is now looking at possible legal action against the establishment.

Osmeña told reporters that he and the city's building officials will assess further the condition of the business establishment, which he has threatened with closure for allegedly violating provisions of the building code.

"I want to get a clearer assessment of what has to be done and what the city's legal options are," he said.

Osmeña stressed that he would not give exemptions on this case to prevent the same violations of other establishments in the future.

"It will be hard for me to manage the city if I give exemptions at this point," the mayor said, adding however that he is not closing doors to "curative measures" from the part of Mango Square.

The city has already sent notices to Mango Square and the different establishments occupying the complex asking them to explain why their businesses should not be closed for their alleged violations.

Several complaints against the complex prompted the city to send notices to at its least 32 establishments. Osmeña said he himself found out that this popular hangout in the uptown area has been grossly violating the city ordinances.

Among the alleged violations include the establishment of illegal structures inside the mall's parking lot, and the serving by these stalls of liquor to minors.

The Ludo and Luym Development Corporation owns the Mango Square, whose tenants include Internet café's, spas, coffee shops, a comedy bar, and a bookstore, among others.

Osmeña had stressed that the closure of the whole block of Mango Square will not be selective and will include tenant establishments.

If the complex will be shut down, Mango Square will be allowed to open again only after it gets a new business permit, which will take for over a year. - Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM