'Roxas virtually lawyered for Ayala'

 Raymund Fortun, legal counsel of Marianne Cayton, the owner of unit 501-B, also said that Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has virtually acted as a lawyer for the real estate developer and part owner of the condo.

 

"I think a lot of people have already speculated from the very first time na somehow na naging high profile siya dito sa problema na ito parang sinasabi na dinedepensahan, sya (Roxas) na ang legal counsel ng Ayala. So ako we have already expressed our misgivings," Fortun told reporters after the media forum in San Juan City. 

 

"Napansin namin na meron nang delay sa paglabas nung report. So when the report did come out again with a shotgun type of finding, pinpointing liability from up to down...it became very clear to us that the report was signed, sealed and delivered just to favor Ayala , just to somehow create a confusion and uncertainty to who is principally responsible," Fortun added.

 

He also reiterated that the one who installed gas line in the condo should likewise be responsible.

 

"The obligation to make sure that the gas is detectable belongs squarely who introduced it to the public, walang ibang dapat  managot dito," he said.

 

In the Serendra blast findings, presented recently by Roxas to members of the media, the arson investigators found negligence of the tenant and owner as well as the gas supplier, Bonifacion Gas Corp. that caused the explosion.

 

In case the matter goes to trial, Fortun said they are hopeful that the findings on his client will be overturned.

 

He added  that the Caytons are open to an amicable or out of court settlement.

 

"Nobody wants to undergo the rigors of court trial. Wala naman may gusto ng ganyan. So kung papayag naman at maging reasonable ang Ayala at magbibigay ng any form of compensation, then, sure," Fortun said.

 

The blast last May 31 inside the condo unit of Cayton killed four people, including 73-year-old Angelito San Juan, the occupant of the unit during the explosion.