Rama vetoes covered court ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has rejected the city ordinance giving the control of a covered court in Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Punta Princesa to a homeowners association.

“For all legal intents and purposes, I hereby veto Cebu City Ordinance No. 2370, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Cebu pursuant to its Resolution No.13-0734-2013,” the mayor’s four pages veto letter reads.

Rama said the control and management of  the said covered court cannot be given to Punta Princesa Manggahan Homeowner’s Association, Inc. (PPMHOAI) considering that the latter is a private entity and is not accountable officers of the law. 

“It is the Cebu City Mayor who has the power and authority, as it is his duty to provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the city and to protect the funds, credits, rights and other properties of the city,” Rama stressed adding that this is in accordance with Section 455 of  the Republic Act No. 7160.

Rama pointed out that “there is nothing in any of those legal provisions which allowed any private person or association to take primary accountability, responsibility, control, management and administration over lands, buildings and other physical structures of the Cebu City government, including the basketball court in question.”

With this, Rama believes that the Cebu City Ordinance No. 2370 is patently illegal.

In June 20, 2012 an Executive Order No. 12-7 was issued assigning Barangay Punta Princesa to administer and manage the covered court.  But majority of the city council who are allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundo Kauswagan (BOPK) gave the control of the facility to the homeowners association headed by Alejandro Tabelino.—(FREEMAN)