City has ‘til tom to answer TRO plea of fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City has until Monday to file its comment on the temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by residents of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel affected by a demolition order.

Lawyer Benjamin Militar, legal counsel of the affected families, told The FREEMAN that there are still two houses standing in the area.

Margarita Arnoza, Lourdes San Felipe, Victorio Fernandez, Grace Marie Cabucos, Dolores Gaviola, Estarlita Mailig, Joan Coyoca Bacus, Lee Bacus, Rafel Vailoces, Julian Vailoces, Josephine Mendoza, Rabaira Recla, and Vivica Arnoza Carin earlier filed a petition for certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus against Mayor Michael Rama and Raquel Arce, head of the demolition team.

The residents claimed to be in possession of parcels of lot in the barangay after being awarded the right to occupy the property in 1969 being the successors-in-interest of the original awardees.

On March 18, 2014, a fire hit the area and affected hundreds of residents but the houses of the complainants were spared from the fire. After the incident, however, Rama ordered their houses demolished to give way for reblocking. 

Militar however said there was no basis of the demolition.

The petition for TRO will be heard on Tuesday.

Militar said both parties have also been ordered to submit their respective memorandum or written arguments within 15 days.

Aside from the TRO, Militar said they are also asking the court to order the city government to restore the houses, which have been demolished and allow the affected residents to stay in the area.  (FREEMAN)