20 families to leave Apas lot voluntarily

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty families have agreed to accept P50,000 in exchange of vacating the controversial lot in Barangay Apas voluntarily.

Regional Trial Court Judge Estela Alma Singco gave the 20 families, all clients of lawyer Feliciano Payot, until April 15, 2014 to demolish their houses and vacate the area. Yesterday, 15 families received an initial P25,000 each from lawyer Mark Anthony Gaviola, counsel of Aletha Suico-Magat, the supposed owner of the lot.

Singco said the residents can get the other P25,000 from the court once they have demolished their houses.

Singco said, nevertheless, that acceptance of the payment was without prejudice to relocation and other legal remedies. She said the 20 families can still avail of the relocation site and can seek other legal remedies.

The judge also said that even with the April 15 deadline, the demolition team cannot demolish houses automatically should the families concerned fail to meet their end of the bargain. Should this happen, she said Magat has to file a formal manifestation in court.

Atty. Collin Russell, head of the City Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP), also told reporters that the 20 families can still avail of a relocation. He said, however, that relocating all the 157 families affected by the demolition will not be an easy process.

A formal agreement as regards acceptance of the payment was signed by the two parties.

Meanwhile, Gaviola said that considering that Singco did not issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and injunction to stop the demolition of the houses of the other residents, “most likely” the writ of demolition will be implemented.

Singco said in open court yesterday that she will not rule on the petition of the other residents to avoid the possibility of her ruling going in conflict with the ruling of RTC Judge Alexander Acosta who is also handling another appeal of another group of residents.

Atty. Benjamin Militar, counsel of this group, said Acosta is yet to rule on their appeal. — (FREEMAN)