4 city officials sued for damages

CEBU, Philippines – Four city officials were sued for damages because of alleged illegal demolition in Barangay Busay two months ago.

Marissa Yu Honoridez and her five minor children filed a civil case for damages against Cebu City Attorney Joseph Bernaldez, Atty. June Ibones Maratas, Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division chief Noel Artes and another SPEED staff Gil Vega.

Also named respondent in the P850,000 damage suit was Emma Castañares, who claimed to own the lot occupied by the complainant in Sugbo Homes.

The complainant alleged that she is a bonafide member of the City Hall Homeowners Association Inc. and occupies lot 28 block 8 of Sugbo Homes located in Nivel Hills, Busay.

In fact, she was issued a certification by Victor Tiu, homeowner's president, attesting the legitimacy of her membership.

However, on August 16 and 17 her house was allegedly demolished by the respondents.

"The demolition was made without due process, without conducting a thorough investigation if there was already a prior beneficiary ahead of the plaintiff's occupancy as authorized by the president of the CHHA," Honoridez claimed.

The CHHA handles the distribution of the vacant lots to its bonafide members. Honoridez said that when she built her house nobody objected to her occupancy and construction.

Honoridez said she even hired the services of a licensed engineer and architect to accomplish the necessary documents needed to secure a building permit from the City Hall.

However, on July 5, 2010 she was summoned by Bernaldez and Maratas and was ordered to vacate the property she occupied. The two city lawyers allegedly accused her of being a "professional squatter."

Honoridez said that Bernaldez and Marates were acting on the behest of Castañares, an employee of the Sangguniang Bayan, who claims ownership of the lot.

Honoridez said she was able to talk to Castañares and the latter told her that she was once the claimant of the lot but she is no longer interested in acquiring the said property.

Despite her request not to go on with the demolition, Honoridez said the respondents proceeded with what she described as illegal demolition. The demolition was carried out under the supervision of Artes and Vega.

Bernaldez said he will answer the case in the proper venue. (FREEMAN)