Atienza says he’s willing to be jailed

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza stood pat on his decision to continue dismantling stalls of alleged vendors on the Divisoria and Chinatown sidewalks even if it brings him imprisonment.

"I am ready to go to jail rather than turn my back on my responsibility of maintaining orderliness in the city," Atienza told reporters during a forum held at the Manila City Hall yesterday.

Atienza issued the statement after the United Vendors’ Association (UVA) asked Manila Judge Wilfredo Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 to cite the mayor for contempt of court for ignoring the temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the clearing operations of the city government.

UVA had filed a petition for TRO on the clearing operations, which was granted by Reyes.

The mayor deplored the TRO, which he described as illegal and improper. He noted that the city and police officials would continue the clearing operations on the streets of Ilaya and Juan Luna both in Divisoria area, despite the TRO.

According to Atienza, Ilaya and Juan Luna are main access routes to Divisoria, which have to remain clear of road obstructions. "Blocking the routes would be detrimental to the legitimate traders and vendors plying their trade in Divisoria."

He said Divisoria’s advantage of having cheap but high quality goods would be negated if it’s not accessible to shoppers.

"We have to provide utter access to Divisoria to protect the interest of legitimate vendors and traders and further encourage shoppers to flock to the area," the mayor said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe