Independent bet seeks to intervene in SRP case

Citing his desire to promote good governance, former Bayan Muna secretary-general Arman Perez expressed his desire yesterday to be a co-complainant in a pending case that seeks to prohibit Cebu City Council members from spending the proceeds from the sale of South Road Properties (SRP) lots.

Perez visited the Palace of Justice located at the Qimonda IT Center in Cebu City to file a complaint-in-intervention before  the sala of Judge Alexander Acosta of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 who is handling the case filed by taxpayer Romulo Torres.

“Nothing political here. No one asked me to do this. Intervening in this case is part of my advocacy for good governance primarily involving the disbursement of public funds,” Perez said in an interview.

Perez, who is currently the executive director of Transparency and Accountability for Good Governance Empowerment and Development, filed his Certificate of Candidacy  for Cebu City north district councilor.

Former prosecutor Torres earlier asked the court to stop the city government from spending the P8.3-billion down payment from SM Prime Holdings Inc., Ayala Land Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc. for the SRP lots.

Torres, who filed the suit as a “citizen and taxpayer,” said the money should not be spent nor appropriated by the city pending determination of the validity of the mode of disposal of SRP lots through public bidding.

He said Sangguniang Panglungsod Ordinance No. 2332 which protects the SRP from “unlawful and unauthorized transactions and dealings” excludes public auction from the authorized modes of disposing SRP lots.

Last week, Judge Acosta denied Torres’ appeal for the issuance of a temporary restraining order to stop the city from spending the SRP proceeds.

In a pleading, Torres requested Judge Acosta to remand the case to Judge Generosa Labra who earlier chose to let go of the case.

Labra voluntarily inhibited herself from handling the case, saying Torres is a “close friend.”