GOV SUED FOR IDLE CENTER
Lawyer Ervin Estandarte filed criminal and administrative charges against Gov. Hilario Davide III and members of the Provincial Board.
Lawyer calls CICC a ‘dying structure’ that needs help, not gov’t neglect
A Cebu -based lawyer yesterday filed criminal and administrative charges against Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and members of the Provincial Board for “abandoning” the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and letting it deteriorate.
Lawyer Ervin Estandarte said the officials were all liable for “neglect of duty” and causing injury to the province, Mandaue City and the people of Cebu by not rehabilitating the CICC, which was built in 2006 at a cost of over P800 million.
“These officials failed to realize that they are custodians of people’s property. As custodians, they are mandated to exercise a higher degree of care,” said Estandarte in his complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.
At the Capitol, Davide said he didn’t mind being sued for what he has repeatedly called a “monument of corruption” built by his predecessor.
“When we assumed office in 2013, I already made a pronouncement that the province would not spend a single centavoe to fix the CICC. It is not a priority of the administration,” he said.
A large yellow “Never Again” billboard in the facade of the CICC was mounted in recent weeks with a second billboard declaring the P840.2-million cost of the building “a waste of people’s money”.
Estandarte, in his petition, said the banner was a painful reminder of neglect, and that allegations of anomalies should be left to the court to decide.
“That signage though reminds us to be vigilant is equally hurting. The pain deepends every time we pass by, because we see a dying structure behind it and it is asking for our help,” said the lawyer.
He asked the anti-graft office to investigate the respondents for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct of Public Officers and Employees, and Presidential Decree No. 807 or the Civil Service Law.
The CICC was built under time pressure in 2006 by the administration of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as the venue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2007.
It was badly damaged by the earthquake in October 2013 and supertyphoon Yolanda in the same year.
Governor Davide wrote the Visayas Ombudsman seeking advice to repair the structure as it was the subject of pending graft case. Last August, he was told there was no legal obstacle for this.
Discussions with the co-owner Mandaue City and the Office of the President led to a recommendation for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to fix part of it for use as an exhibit area for export furniture.
UNFIT FOR USE
Estandarte, a resident of Mandaue City, said it was sad to see a “revenue-earning facility, rot.
He said he’s afraid that the CICC will soon be declared “unfit for occupancy.”
“When that happens, you and I and everyone of us, would be equally guilty for failing to remind our public officials their duty to act and to act fast,” Estandarte said.
The lawyer, who comes from Bislig, Surigao province, said he believes the governor wants to get rid of the CICC because it was built by a political opponent.
The Ombudsman in Manila is investigating Garcia and six others for allegedly giving undue advantage to a private contractor for undertaking extra work to complete the CICC.
“No matter how he (Davide) perceives the CICC to be the face of corruption, still it is the property of the province of Cebu and need to be attended to,” Estandarte said.
The lawyer had good memories of the CICC ahd said he hoped it would be repaired soon.
“When I have my regular Sunday jog at CICC, I relish those happy times when it was stil alive and vibrant, where all LGUs in the province converge to compete and enjoy. How I wish CICC then is still now,” he said.
He recalled how the place was filled with “the laughter of happy golfers around the world.. when we had the golf awarding ceremonies at CICC. How I wish CICC then is still now.”
A group calling itself the Cebuanos for Good Governance and Development (CGGD) said they mounted the “Never Again” streamer as part of an anti-corruption campaign to be launched soon.
They said they had permission from Davide to put it up.
Related stories:Davide stands by refusal to repair CICC
Gwen hits Davide on deterioration of CICC
Ombudsman gives go signal for CICC repair
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