Luigi sues Cortes allies in Mandaue City Council

CEBU, Philippines — For facilitating the ratification of an alleged faulty contract, seven councilors of Mandaue City are facing a criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Quisumbing yesterday filed a complaint for violation of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Councilors Nenita Ceniza-Layese, Malcolm Sanchez, Cynthia Remedio, Carmelino “Jun” Del Mar Jr., Marie Immaline Cortes-Zafra, Dalie Mae Cabatingan, and Ernie Manatad.

Lawyer Elaine Bathan, mayor’s chief of staff, said the respondents acted in bad faith when they pushed for the ratification of the Deed of Assignment in favor of Cenore Corporation despite an adverse opinion from the Commission on Audit.

Cenore Corporation owns the Big Hotel and Suites which were recently ordered closed by the Mandaue City government. The corporation subleased a property owned by the city government from Katumanan Hardware, which was granted the original lease contract during the administration of then mayor Jonas Cortes.

“They acted on the letter of Rod Ngo (owner of Cenore) and proceeded to ratify the deed of assignment despite the rescission and COA report,” Bathan said.

Bathan, in a phone interview, said there was an adverse finding from COA questioning the contract between Katumanan and Cenore. She said that despite of it the respondents insisted on ratifying the contract between Katumanan Hardware and Cenore Corporation.

Lawyer Jamaal James Calipayan, chief of staff of Cortes, said the complaint was a clear harassment because all of the respondents are political allies of the former mayor.

"It is a clear act of harassment and an encroachment of legislative prerogative. A blatant transgression and attempt to subdue a coequal body in government," Calipayan said.

Cortes, who is now Sixth District congressman, is challenging the reelection bid of Quisumbing in the upcoming May elections. — FPL (FREEMAN)