Mayor orders charges filed vs parties involved

After receiving the report of an investigation committee, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza ordered yesterday the filing of criminal charges against the owner, architect, contractor, structural engineer and pile driving contractor of the SAI Building which collapsed on July 23.

The mayor also ordered the filing of criminal and administrative charges against city hall building officials and inspectors who reviewed the plans, monitored and inspected the construction and issued the clearances for the building in Divisoria.

Exactly a month after the collapse, the fact-finding committee, headed by Emmanuel Sison, secretary to the mayor, found failure in the design and construction of the building, particularly the component relating to the pile foundation.

The mayor said the committee’s findings also showed there was failure in the monitoring and inspection of the design and construction.

"All those found responsible for the faulty design and construction will be charged criminally," Atienza pointed out.

He noted that city officials and personnel who evaluated the design, issued recommendations, monitored the construction, conducted inspections and issued the necessary permits and certifications will face criminal and administrative charges.

"Nobody will get off lightly. We will throw the book at all those involved so they would serve as example to make sure that this does not happen again," said Atienza, who is expected to provide additional details this week.

The nine-story, five-year-old SAI Building located at the corner of Padre Rada and Juan Luna streets collapsed last July 23, apparently due to a weakened foundation. No one was hurt in the incident since tenants of the building and nearby structures had been evacuated.

Recommended to be charged criminally for negligence are Rajude Manukhani, building owner; Edward Sy, architect-of-record and de facto owner’s represenative during the building construction; Teofilo Go, engineer who prepared the building structural design; Albert Chua, architect and general contractor and the AGVID Construction Co., the pile driving contractor.

Atienza said Manila City Hall employees, who will be charged criminally and administratively are Lirma Fajardo; Rolito Samson; Wilson Habaña; and Edgard Soriano, all engineers of the Manila Building Office.

He noted that the committee found out that it was Fajardo who evaluated the building plans, certified compliance with requirements and recommended the issuance of a building permit, while Samson supervised the building construction from the pile driving up to the mezzanine.

Atienza added that Habaña certified the compliance for the purpose of securing a certificate of occupancy while Soriano signed the certificate of final inspection as well as the certificate of occupancy.

He said the criminal prosecution and the conduct of administrative proceedings against those involved as the case may be, should serve as a strong warning that his administration "will not tolerate any violation of the law for those in the public and private sector and negligence on the part of city officials and personnel."