Mayor faces raps over Kentex blaze

MANILA, Philippines - Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian and five other city officials will undergo preliminary investigation for alleged graft and violation of fire safety laws for the fire that razed a slipper factory in Valenzuela City and killed 72 workers last May 13.

They will also face administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Gatchalian maintained yesterday that he and the other city officials did nothing wrong and they were ready to face investigation.

Terrence King Ong, operations msanager of factory owner Kentex Manufacturing Corp., will undergo preliminary investigation for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries as provided under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code.

So will Rosalinda Uy Ngo, Oscar

Romero and Wilmer Arenal of Ace, the company constructing a gate in the factory when the fire broke out.

Other city officials who will undergo preliminary investigation are Business Permit and Licensing Office officer-in-charge Renchi May Padayao, licensing officer Eduardo Carreon, city fire marshall Mel Jose Lagan, Fire Safety Enforcement Section chief Edgrover Oculam and fire safety inspector Rolando Avendan.

If probable cause is found, they will be charged in court for violations of the Fire Code or Republic Act No. 9514 and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Secretary Leila de Lima has approved the recommendation of a special review panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they undergo preliminary investigation after a review and evaluation of the findings of the Inter-Agency Anti-Arson Task Force (IATF) led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Other responsible managers, officials and owners of Kentex, such as Ong King Guan and Beato Ang, in the event that further investigation on their management responsibilities and administrative functions reveals equal culpability on the safety of the establishment together with Terrence King Ong, will be charged,” the DOJ said.

The IATF and relatives of fire victims  can file the complaints before the Office of the Valenzuela City Prosecutor, De Lima said in a memorandum to the DILG.

The DOJ also wants further investigation of the possible liabilities of Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region officials for issuing a permit to Kentex in September last year “notwithstanding the violations of pertinent labor laws and DOLE’s occupational safety and health standards.”

Comprising the review panel are   Senior Assistant State Prosecutor

Roberto Lao, Assistant State Prosecutors Olivia Torrevillas and Ma. Cristina Barot, and State Counsels Margarette Robles, Consuelo Corazon

Pazziuagan and Dioxenos Sulit.

 We’re ready to answer the complaint – Gatchalian

Valenzuela City officials are ready to answer the complaint against them in the proper forum, Gatchalian told The STAR yesterday.

“We know we did not commit anything illegal or unlawful,” he said.

“The city government acted within the parameters set forth in the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Robredo circulars.”

Gatchalian was referring to the Jan. 4, 2011 Memorandum Circular No. 2011-05 issued by then interior secretary, the late Jesse Robredo.

They were being punished for following the law, he added.

Kentex lawyer Renato Paraiso said they haven’t seen the actual DOJ recommendation.

“But we welcome the development on the findings that goes with what we believe in,” he said. “We have always maintained that the proximate cause of the accident was welder and the welding company.” – With Rey Galupo, Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin