Baguio embroiled in pay parking mess

BAGUIO CITY — This city is now embroiled in a pay parking controversy.

This, after the Jadewell Parking Systems Corp. sued Mayor Braulio Yara—non in the Supreme Court for allegedly issuing what it claimed was a "contemptuous" executive order on July 1, upon his assumption as city mayor, that virtually told residents not to pay parking fees.

Even the city police got a memorandum from Yaranon to arrest parking attendants who will "force" motorists to pay parking fees.

Jadewell asked the Supreme Court to cite Yaranon for contempt, arguing that the mayor went beyond his power in issuing an executive order while the case on the legality of the four-year memorandum of agreement between the city government and Jadewell is pending with the tribunal.

Jadewell earlier filed a case against the city government after the former city council voided the pay parking ordinance, thus revoking the agreement between the city and Jadewell.

Emiliano Gayo, legal counsel for Jadewell owner and president Rogelio Tan, said the Regional Trial Court here and the Court of Appeals had both ruled in the company’s favor.

But Yaranon, a former city councilor who fought Jadewell from the very beginning, stood pat on his executive order.

"As the city mayor, it is my duty that laws and ordinances are enforced," he said.

Yaranon dared Jadewell and his critics to file charges against him and that he would defend himself in court.