Chiong answers LPG firm’s allegations

CEBU, Philippines - City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong yesterday clarified that he has already answered the accusations against him by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) firm, which alleged him of being a “conditional mayor” when he issued a business permit to another firm which reportedly had no complete requirements.

“Dugay na man na nakong gitubag. Di ba na sila ma-consider nga nag-forum shopping?” said Chiong in an interview with The FREEMAN.

Pryce Gases Inc., represented by its assistant vice president for corporate administrative services Darwin Sarraga, filed the petition for prohibition and mandamus against Chiong and Petronas Energy Philippines.

Pryce Gases alleged that Chiong issued “conditional mayor’s business permits” to Petronas when the latter has yet to secure a fire safety inspection certificate, a pre-requisite for a business permit.

In August last year, Pryce Gases filed an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Chiong for the same accusation.

For his part, Chiong said he issued a conditional permit to Petronas but only after the Naga Fire Department and the Bureau of Fire and Protection-7 gave their clearance.

He said Pryce Gases, which questioned Petronas’ existence in the city being a competitor, complained his move and then elevated it to BFP central office, which gave different findings to that issued by the Naga Fire Department and the BFP-7.

But at that time, the conditional permit was already issued.

He said Pryce Gases has also its own violations which resulted to BFP’s cancelling its permit, prompting him to revoke its business permit.

As of yesterday, the company was still operating despite the absence of a permit. To this, Chiong said he is set to inspect if the reports are true, but admitted that he could not be hard on Pryce Gases considering that it is also an investor in Naga.

“Nalipay ra ko nga mo co-exist sila. If they have conflict, naigo ra gyud ko between two colliding stones,” he said. — (FREEMAN)