Ouano family sues RPN-9 and officials for not paying lease

Alfredo Ouano, former mayor of Mandaue City, recently filed a civil suit, in behalf of his nine children, for sum of money and damages with preliminary attachment against Radio Philippines Network, Inc. (RPN-9), and its two past and present officials, Cerge Remonde and Leonor Linao.

Ouano filed the suit last January 30 at the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City, accusing RPN-9, Remonde and Linao of failing to pay the monthly lease of the Ouano lot since 2004 that has now accumulated to P739,701.24, inclusive of interests.

Remonde, who now heads the government mass media group, is the former chairman and CEO of RPN-9 while Linao is the incumbent chairman and CEO of the network.

Ouano, in his eight-page complaint, said that on June 20, 2003, he and RPN-9 represented by Remonde entered and executed a two-year contract of lease (November 22, 2002 to November 21, 2004) of the Ouano's 3,000-square meter lot in Mandaue City.

The lot is the site of RPN-9's transmitter with its 200-foot antenna tower complete with base and radial wire supports.

The contract stipulated a lease of P25,000 per month for the first year, subject to a 10 percent escalation rate every year thereafter until expiration, and that delayed payment will be imposed with five percent interest per day over the monthly lease amount.

Ouano stated that, initially, the defendants paid the monthly lease regularly and promptly but, after several months of operation, the latter successively defaulted on these.

Since February 2004, the defendants were already delinquent in settling the monthly dues, Ouano said, prompting him to send demand letters but still they failed.

"Up to this moment, the defendant is still the possessor and is continuously and utilizing the said premises to the damage and prejudice of the plaintiff," the Ouano complaint reads.

Aside from demanding for the sum of money, Ouano also asked the court for the issuance of writ of preliminary attachment, citing that RPN-9 is on the verge of disposing or selling its assets and properties and has no other sufficient property or security to satisfy his money claim.

Ouano represents, for this case, his nine children namely Thadeo, Michael, Fidelia, Jovita, Rosemarie, Babita, Irene, Basilisa and Rafael. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan