NOW that Mayor Jesse M. Robredo has brought to the fore the propositions which were “overwhelmingly approved” by the electorate of Naga City in the August 6, 1993 referendum, we ask: What is the latest about what his administration has accomplished on the proposition that the city would float bonds? How much was raised by the city? Where was this amount spent? Who were the beneficiaries of the cash raised for floating the bonds? What is the city doing to return the money to those who have bought the bonds? Does the city have enough to pay back these investors? Where will the city get the money? From taxpayers, whose real properties shall be valuated in several waves from a low of 200% to a high of 1,000%?
Well, so many questions raised, so few answered.
Queries on these floated bonds are floated this early so that Mayor Jesse M. Robredo will be able to prepare well his answers as they will be the subject of future editorials. At the moment, the other proposition that has raised so many questions, yet so few were answered is the determination of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo to finish the construction of the coliseum. The administration of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo seems to be hounded by countless questions and apprehensions. In addition to the ones already raised, we are posting another and this is about the lot where the coliseum is located.
From the records of the City Assessor’s office, the lot has an area of 11,211 square meters, classified as commercial, with a market value of P 19,619,250 and an assessed value of P 3,923,850. The lot is owned by The Ruby Shelter Builders & Realty Development Corporation with business address in San Jose, Milaor, Camarines Sur. The property has PIN 01.027-01-151 and with Tax Declaration 01-027-348.
Nowhere in this record is noted that this piece of property has been donated or sold to the City Government of Naga. If there is a donation paper issued by The Ruby Shelter Builders & Realty Development Corporation in favor of the City Government of Naga, then let it out. Let the taxpayers know that such a document is existent. Show us the document, Your Honor, Mayor Jesse M. Robredo.
We would not like to be disturbed by an issue similar to that which has rocked your administration when the heirs of Don Macario Mariano claimed that the City Government is squatting on private property they still own as there has been no donation papers signed by their late grandfather Don Macario Mariano.
By not giving closure first to the question on ownership of the coliseum lot and of the alleged donated property to the City Government which now houses the integrated bus terminal, the city government is virtually multiplying problems, compounding unresolved issues and leaving these problems to others who would have the guts to head the City of Naga. Such an attitude is not in consonance with good governance, for which the local government headed by Mayor Jesse M. Robredo has been awarded the most prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for good governance.
Well, so many questions raised, so few answered.
If, indeed, the coliseum is squatting on private property, then following the iron hand of City Hall against illegal constructions, then former Police Colonel Benjamin Navarro who has been tasked by the City Engineer’s Office, whose head is an ever obedient follower of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, should take on the sledge hammer and start demolishing the walls of the coliseum as he has furiously done on shanties and constructions of countless squatters in the city.
If good governance means ridding the city of squatters, then Mayor Jesse M. Robredo should give the order of demolishing the city hall building, the government buildings standing on the Mariano property, the integrated bus terminal building, and his prized project: the coliseum. Or is there one set of building code for the poor, another for the local government of Naga?
Well, so many questions raised, so few answered.
