The city government of Manila will file on Wednesday criminal complaints against a contractor involved in the illegal demolition of the Rizal Avenue Sports Athletics Complex (RASAC) covered court in Brgy. Sta. Cruz.
In a press briefing, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said that charges will be filed against Jelsie Construction and Supply, represented by its general manager, Jesse R. Mahusay.
“I am instituting this criminal complaint as the local chief executive of the country’s capital city… This is not only about protecting property but protecting the welfare of our citizens. We cannot allow private contractors to demolish and build at will without the authority of the city, especially on facilities critical to disaster preparedness and public service,” Domagoso said.
According to him, the demolition and ongoing construction of a multipurpose building on the site do not have the necessary permits and clearances from the city government.
Among the alleged violations are special cases of malicious mischief under Article 328 of the Revised Penal Code, unlawful demolition and construction without a necessary permit in violation of the National Building Code of the Philippines, and unauthorized taking of government facilities in violation of the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act.
Domagoso revealed that the contractor has also contracted more than P1.43 billion worth of flood control projects in the city, according to data from the government’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website. It also has projects in all districts of Manila, ranking as the city’s second-largest flood control contractor.
Manila Standard sought the comment of Jelsie Construction and Supply, but has yet to receive its response as of posting.
