8 Manor officials charged by cops

The Quezon City police filed criminal charges yesterday against eight more officials of the Manor Hotel where a fire killed 73 people and injured 51 others last week.

The charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple deaths and injuries now cover the entire management of Manor, including its incorporators.

Among those charged was Rebecca Genato, the hotel’s president and wife of the owner. Her husband, William Genato, was charged with the same crime early this week.

Others charged were Forferio Germina, Marion Fernandez, Dionisia Cua Arengino, Antonio Beltran, Candelaria Aranador, Ofelia Alberto and Alma Santos, all incorporators of the hotel.

If found guilty, they face a maximum of six years in prison and possible fines and payment of compensation to victims.

Hotel owner Genato did not show up in yesterday’s preliminary investigation of the case at the Quezon City Prosecutors Office. He instead sent his lawyers to face probers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and some relatives of the victims.

Assistant City Prosecutor Alfredo Agcaoili hence reset the preliminary probe to next week, noting that the evidence submitted by the BFP were still incomplete. He gave the probers until Aug. 29 to come up with more documents to support their case.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte said the police also plan to charge at least six government officials next week on accusations relating to negligence in fire and safety inspections.

Nine city officials, including the fire marshal, have already been relieved from their post.

Belmonte said the tragedy could have been prevented had city officials strictly implemented fire regulations before issuing permits for the hotel to operate.

Most of those killed in the Aug. 18 blaze succumbed to smoke inhalation after they were trapped between a searing, smoky corridor and the ornate, white iron grills on the hotel room windows.

Fire officials said a short-circuit in the ceiling of a third-floor karaoke bar sparked the blaze. Thick smoke spread quickly through the stairways and ventilation shaft, and accumulated in the upper floors where most of the victims were sleeping.

The budget hotel was packed with people attending an evangelical Christian conference at the Araneta Coliseum in nearby Cubao run by the Texas-based Don Clowers Ministries.

Authorities said the hotel’s fire escapes led to dead ends and that the six-story building had no sprinkler system, emergency lights, or fire alarm. They also stressed that the fire exits were blocked or locked and that the fire hose cabinet contained no hose.

Manor president Rebecca Genato denied most of these claims, saying her hotel was prepared for fires.

The hotel’s business permit expired in June and was not renewed after it was found to be stealing electricity through illegal "jumpers." The hotel was also found to be violating fire regulations as early as August last year.