Manor Hotel owners plead not guilty

In an expected move, the owners and incorporators of the Manor Hotel pleaded not guilty yesterday morning to criminal charges arising from a tragic fire that hit the hotel last Aug. 18, killing 81 persons and injuring 20 others.

William Genato and wife Rebecca, principal owners of the Manor Hotel, and incorporators Porfirio Germina, Marion Fernandez, Dionisio Cua Arengino appeared before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 43 for their scheduled arraignment.

A fifth respondent and incorporator, Antonio Beltran, a resident of 125 Kamias Road, Quezon City, was a no-show.

The six respondents are facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries or the violation of Section 231, Article 58 of the Quezon City’s Revenue Code. A pre-trial has been set on Feb. 25, to be presided by Judge Evangeline Castillo.

Investigators said the Manor Hotel blaze was the result of a faulty electrical wiring at the building’s third floor.

Fire investigators said most of the victims were trapped inside the hotel because of the windows with iron grills and the absence of proper safety measures.

A safety inspection report by the Bureau of Fire Protection revealed that the hotel had no automatic fire suppression system, defective standpipes and fire alarms, no smoke and heat detectors and obstructed fire exits.

According to Efren Reyes, Branch 43 clerk of court, the Genato couple and their co-respondents were calm and relaxed during the arraignment proceedings. – Matthew Estabillo and Nikko Dizon