Case filed vs mayor, gas company over permit

CEBU, Philippines - Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong is facing charges before the court for allegedly issuing a conditional mayor’s business permit to Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc. despite the alleged absence of a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.

Another gas company, Pryce Gases, Inc. represented by Darwin Sarraga filed a petition for prohibition and mandamus with prayer for a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction against Chiong and Petronas.

“Cleary, the public respondent, in issuing the aforementioned assailed mayor’s Business permits, committed an ultra vires act or an act which is characterized by grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess of a lack of jurisdiction,” the petition reads.

According to Pryce Gases, the conditional mayor’s business permit was issued in 2014 for Petronas’ two Liquefied Petroleum Gas storage tanks in Barangay Lagtang, Naga City.

Pryce Gases said Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines mandates that no business permit or permit to operate shall be issued without an FSIC from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

“Herein petitioner so strenuously believes that it is its duty to ask relief from the Honorable Court because the actuation of the public respondent is patently illegal and the issue involves the public interest because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution,” the petition reads.

Pryce Gases Inc. asked the court to declare the mayor’s business permit as null and void, if the same has already been issued.

It also asked the court to prohibit Chiong from issuing a Conditional Mayor’s Business Permit to Petronas without the latter securing an FSIC.

Chiong and Petronas are set to answer formally in court the allegations against them. — (FREEMAN)