Fiscal summons Manor owner

A Quezon City prosecutor summoned yesterday the owner of the Manor Hotel that burned down before dawn Saturday, leaving at least 73 people dead.

Prosecutor Alfredo Agcaoili said William Ong Genato was directed to appear today for the preliminary investigation of the charge of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide filed against him.

"Genato does not need to go into hiding as what the television and newspaper reports indicate. All he has to do is to file his counter- affidavit on the charges," said Agcaoili.

While Genato has reportedly holed up in his rest house in Bulacan, he has vowed through his lawyers to appear once charges are filed against him.

The complaint against Genato was filed by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and stemmed from several violations of fire safety regulations.

According to ABS-CBN television, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has supposedly sought a hold-departure against Genato and his wife, Rebecca, who is the president of the company operating the hotel.

If Genato fails to appear tomorrow, the prosecutor explained he would have to decide whether to dismiss or file the case in court depending on the substance of the evidence submitted by the BFP.

"Then it is up to the judge to issue warrants of arrest against him. There will be no arrest order this early," Agcaoili said.

He also noted BFP officials could still file supplemental evidence against Genato if they feel they have to substantiate their case against the hotel owner.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. had earlier fired eight City Hall employees believed responsible for issuing permits to Manor Hotel although the hotel management had not complied with building code requirements.

Belmonte has also initiated the formation of a civilian fact-finding body, to be headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Abraham Sarmiento, to help City Hall officials inspect business establishments’ compliance with public safety regulations.

Earlier, another hotel owned by Genato, the Sir William’s Hotel on Timog Avenue, was also closed for supposed violations of the fire code.

While the hotel has been closed, the establishments renting units within the same building are still open and all their fire escapes lead to the building’s basement.

Employees of two nightclubs located in the building also complain that the fire escapes are locked or blocked at all times for the safety of the club’s guest relation officers.

Residents of another Genato property, the Wil-Vic residential building located near the Manor Hotel, also allegedly violates safety regulations.

The five-storey Wil-Vic building is a business-residential development that allegedly has no fire exit. Residents complain that they have to enter and exit through a small door at the side of the building.

"We have to go through a dimly lit portion of the small compound to be able to get inside our units. It is indeed very dangerous because the entrance is also being used as the exit," a resident said.

In a related development, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit led an inspection of all health facilities under his supervision to ensure fire safety and preparedness.

"We aim to evaluate the fire prevention capacities of our hospitals and other medical centers all over the country to ensure that patients and medical personnel don’t suffer the same fate of the Manor Hotel victims," Dayrit said.

Dayrit also instructed the directors of all DOH facilities to personally inspect and identify fire hazards and take steps to correct them.

For example, the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has been found to be a "firetrap" and is not embarking on a rehabilitation of its fire protection system. — With reports Ella Oducayen, Sheila Crisostomo