Congressional inquiry into Carbon project sought

CEBU, Philippines —  Gabriela partylist group has come to the rescue of some vendors disgruntled by the modernization of Carbon Public Market but Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was quick to say that politics should not get in the way of the project.

Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas met with some Carbon Market vendors staging a protest since Monday.

She disclosed that she has authored Resolution 2051 in Congress calling on the committee on local government to investigate the P5.5 billion modernization project of the Cebu City government and Megawide last July.

Aside from that, Brosas said she also delivered a privilege speech concerning the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Cebu City and Megawide Construction Corp. for the Carbon Market modernization.

“Nagprivilege speech din tayo noong nakaraan para talagang mapatampok sa Kongreso. Hindi din tayo nawawalan ng pag-asa kasi meron pang last session days, three more days sa susunod nga linggo. Pagsisikapan din nating yun,” said Brosas.

Brosas is also hoping that representatives from Cebu, especially in Cebu City, will also support the call of the vendors for the inquiry and investigation.

“Importante na mismo yung mga nandito na mga congressman ay sumoporta sa ipinaglalaban natin. Dapat sila mismo, in their individual capacity makapirma kung hindi man nuon sa petition ninyo, then dito sa House Resolution natin maari sila mag co-author,” added  Brosas.

Brosas promised not to stop until the voice of the vendors will be heard and issues concerning about will be resolved.

Brosas also said that the Makabayan bloc is also willing to make another resolution if needed.

Atty. Abraham Acosta, one of the lawyers representing the aggrieved vendors, said event if the court has denied the  Temporary Restraining Order regarding the said development project, they have not stopped pursuing the case.

“Na-denied ba ang TRO for 20 days, yes, but factual lang ta denied ang TRO which is good for 20 days. The case itself nullity of the JVA and damages is ongoing, naay writ of preliminary injunction hearing which will be set hopefully karong February kung mo-grant ang korte sa writ of preliminary injunction unsay mahitabo? Walay say development until the finality of the case...Now kung i-deny sa korte ang writ of preliminary injunction makapadayon ba ang Megawide? Well, technically yes but naa pay decision nga huwaton, naa pay hearing huwaton sa nullity of Joint Venture Agreement,” said Acosta.

Rama continues to be open on the discussion with the affected vendors but is telling quarters to avoid politicking.

“That’s is a matter belonging in a democratic country. Please lang, kay inig istorya nako anang mga grupoha kinahanglan tubagon ko nila, nakapuyo ba sila sa Carbon. Ikaduha nganong naabot man sila karon? Kahibawo ba sila unsay Ermita, kahibawo ba sila unsay Warwick, kahibawo ba sila’g Fort San Pedro, Compaña Maritima, kahibawo ba sila og Bato kinahanglan motingog sila?”, said Rama on the presence of Gabriela representative and her wish for a congressional hearing.

Rama said the supplemental MOA regarding the JVA with Megawide is expected to be discussed by the City Council for approval at the end of this month. — Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)