SolGen interferes to stop demolition

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General has already intervened to stop the impending demolition of 168 structures in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Francisco Fernandez, executive assistant to the mayor, said the city government received a copy of the motion filed by the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the over 200 affected families.

“It is likewise our understanding that the Office of the Solicitor General has a pending case filed before the Court of Appeals of Cebu involving the cancellation of the reconstituted title of Mr. (Mariano) Godinez and the same Office will raise some meritorious grounds on the annulment of the judgment, consequently, the pending resolution before the Court of Appeals and the annulment case yet to be filed, will both determine the fate of the demolition,” Fernandez said in a letter to the Archangels’ Residents Mergence Inc. (ARMI).

Godinez, claimant of the property, filed a case in 2010 to reclaim Lot 937 which is now occupied by 168 residents comprising of active and retired army personnel and their families.

 In 2018, Godinez asked the court to enforce the writ of demolition, which was scheduled from March 11 to March 15. The government, through the solicitor general, sought for the quashal of the writ of demolition claiming that the contested lot belongs to the state.

As of yesterday, ARMI President Anne Martel said the court sheriff has not showed up and no demolition has taken place. Martel also vowed that the residents will do whatever it takes to stop the demolition.

Fernandez said the identity of Godinez is also in question because he has not appeared in court hearings.

“Syempre, ang office is supporting sa contention kay kon mabalik na sa Republic of the Philippines, from the view point of the urban poor of the city, dunay chance nga ang mga tao makapanag-iya anang mga yutaa (If the ownership of the lot is rebirthed to the Philippine government there is a chance that the people will get the property),” he said.

Fernandez said the city government will support the position of the Solicitor General and will endeavor to do whatever it is legally possible to prevent the demolition. — FPL (FREEMAN)