Typo error sends demolition crew, vendors to face-off

Just how serious can a typographical error get? In Manila, people nearly killed each other because of it.

A potentially bloody confrontation between Manila demolition crewmen and vendors of Sampoloc Market was averted and the latter’s relocation is now expected to proceed without further hitches as the City Council corrected a faulty ordinance expropriating the land for their transfer, which almost triggered violence.

In at least two instances last month, some 300 vendors and workers of the 61-year-old market tensely confronted demolition men when the city government tried to demolish the market to give way to the Light Rail Transit construction.

The vendors complained that they had an existing memorandum of agreement signed last year with Mayor Lito Atienza that will transfer them to a nearby lot. The vendors staged a rally in front of the Manila City hall and accused Atienza of reneging on his promise.

According to a staff member of Manila majority floor leader Marlon Lacson (2nd District), it was all due to an error in the transfer certificate of title (TCT) number stated in Ordinance 7975 authorizing the expropriation.

"The transfer may proceed now with the correction made. I think that was the only problem," Beth Sanchez told The STAR.

During last Tuesday’s council deliberation, Lacson moved for the correction of TCT 39078, one of several titles to the land to be expropriated, to TCT 39578. The title is part of the Guidote property near the Sampaloc market where the vendors are supposed to be moved. The correction has been approved.

TCT 39078 covers a property located in Sampaloc’s neighboring district, Sta. Cruz. That’s why the vendors were up in arms.