Counsel to argue on legality of towing operations in city

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Cebu City legal officer Joseph Bernaldez is scheduled to argue in court this morning with the lawyers of the private motorists who petitioned for the suspension of towing operations in the city claiming that it is illegal.

The civil case filed by at least 10 motorists was raffled and assigned to Regional Trial Court Branch 17 presided by Judge Silvestre Maamo, Jr.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that the city lawyers have already studied the legal issues involving the towing operations in Cebu City that was strongly opposed by the owners of the vehicles towed by the private towing companies for illegal parking.

But Tinago barangay councilman Joel Garganera said they have enough documents to prove that such towing operations carried out by the Road Warriors Towing Services and One-Stop Towing Services are illegal because these do not have authority from the City Council.

Osmeña, however, said he is willing to comply with the court order if the petitioners, through their lawyer, will succeed in convincing the court on issuing a temporary restraining order pending on the outcome of the case.– Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)