Lim warns name-droppers

MANILA, Philippines -  Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim warned unscrupulous quarters yesterday against using his name, his office or his officials in spreading lies and false information to further their selfish interests.

Lim made the warning after receiving reports that some people are using his name to discredit a builders’ company by issuing spurious press releases.

He cited a press release wherein he was said to have announced having ordered city hall’s public services chief retired colonel Carlos Baltazar or city administrator Jay Marzan to close down Rock Energy, SGC Trading and the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) in Pier 18, Tondo.

Lim said he only ordered Baltazar and Marzan to check on the said companies’ coal stocks and to ensure that it does not pose as a health hazard amid complaints from residents in nearby communities that coal particles in the air make them ill.

“Wala akong ipinasasara. Ang order ko ay para mag-comply lang ang mga kompanyang ito at siguraduhing ligtas ang mamamayan sa pagkakasakit (I haven’t ordered any closure. I just ordered them to comply with health regulations),” Lim said.

Marzan added that contrary to some reports, the said companies have been cleared of any liability, after having fully complied with the regulations set by the mayor.

Lim’s chief of staff Ric de Guzman also deplored efforts to use the mayor’s name, his office or his men to link the three companies to R2 Builders, which is apparently a target of a demolition job recently.

“Walang sinasabi si Mayor Lim na R2 builders ang me-ari ng mga tatlong energy companies na pina-inspeksyon  o ng mga uling na nakikita doon, na para bang sa R2 ibinibintang ang lahat,” De Guzman said.

De Guzman said city hall has nothing to do with R2 or the smear campaign against it or any other company or entity.