Citilink eyes raps vs city, insists closure is illegal

CEBU, Philippines - The management of One Citilink Terminal has cried foul over the city government’s decision to close it, saying the move was illegal.

“The action is simply illegal, inappropriate and unwarranted. So, we are not complying with the order of the closure. In the meantime, business is still open,” said Atty. Ralph Sevilla, lawyer for One Citilink.

He said the management will file a case against the city government.

“It is just that nobody will go there since they are being harassed and not allowed to go inside… We will file the necessary civil and criminal charges against the city government,” Sevilla said.

Yesterday morning, personnel of the city’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE) sealed the terminal’s entrance with metal railings and ropes.

In the order issued last Monday, July 27, the Terminal Accreditation Committee said the terminal has been operating without a final permit from the mayor.

On March 17, 2015, TAC was able to push a resolution recommending the terminal’s closure.

The TAC also said the terminal violated City Ordinance 1958 or “An Ordinance Regulating the Establishment and Operation of Terminals for Public Utility Jeepneys and V-hire Vehicles in the City of Cebu,” which requires terminal operators to pay as regulatory fee to the city a fixed percentage of its gross income.

The ordinance also mandates that a business permit be secured for its operation.

“The accreditation committee does not belong to the executive branch since the one who should be under the jurisdiction of the accreditation committee is the entire city council as delineated under City Ordinance 1994. They ought to know that,” Sevilla said.

Questioning the TAC order, Sevilla said “public utility jeepneys and V-hires plying outside north and south of Cebu should load and unload passengers on accredited terminals.”

Only one terminal is accredited here and that is One Citilink, he said.

“One Citilink is the only legally accredited terminal in the entire city. Terminals located in SM and Ayala are actually not accredited so why single out Citilink? The city government is actually the one violating the city’s ordinances, which the city mayor is mandated to enforce,” he added. — (FREEMAN)