Labangon center median has permits – contractor

For the first time, the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG) holds the hearing of the administrative case against suspended mayor Michael Rama at the Civil Service Commission office. Media was barred from covering the hearing because the room can only accommodate 12 persons. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

The center median in Labangon that was ordered removed by suspended Cebu City mayor Michael Rama was covered by all the required permits.

This was the testimony of Gil Hamoy of Falco Construction, the contractor of the barangay project, during yesterday’s hearing of the administrative case that Labangon barangay captain Victor Buendia filed against Rama.

Hamoy is the first witness that Buendia’s camp presented.

“Pero ang ako no, contractor ko. Regardless ug kinsay makabenefit aning akong testimony (I’m the contractor regardless of who benefits from my testimony). Ako giimbitar ko (I was invited) and I feel I have the responsibility to tell the truth,” Hamoy told reporters after yesterday’s hearing by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the case.

The hearing was continued at the Civil Service Commission (CSC)-7 office in Sudlon, Barangay Lahug yesterday afternoon.

Unlike in previous hearings, members of the media were not allowed inside the CSC’s small hearing room which can accommodate only 12 persons at a time.

In his testimony, Hamoy said the project they undertook in Barangay Labangon was above board and that they have secured all necessary permits.

He also pointed out that the Program of Works and Estimates (POWE) for the project was approved and signed by Rama and the city engineer.

Hamoy will continue his testimony today and will also be questioned by Rama’s lawyers.

Buendia’s lawyers have been saying that the demolition of the barangay project was unlawful since it had complied with the regulatory requirements.

City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo, Rama’s lead counsel, said  they were not convinced with the contractor’s answers.

“Seriously, we are looking into the competence of the witness to testify on matters where he is incompetent,” he said without elaborating.

During the cross-examination of the witness, Castillo pointed out that Hamoy is an electrical engineer. The project involved not only the electrical aspect but also civil works on the median itself, he said.

Hamoy tried to explain that although he’s an electrical engineer, he’s been involved in several projects as a contractor since 2000. He said he has handled both electrical and civil works during the period.

“We cannot allow subsequent questions on civil engineering when admittedly he’s only an electrical engineer. He should have been qualified to be a person who understands civil works,” Castillo said.

He then moved for the suspension of the hearing due to lack of time. They finished past 5 p.m.

Today’s continuation of the hearing will still be at the CSC-7.