Carmen mayor sued over refusal to issue biz permit

CEBU, Philippines — A businessman has filed criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Carmen, Cebu Mayor Carlo Villamor over alleged refusal to renew his business permit.

Businessman Richard Rendal Sarad accused Villamor of violating Section 3(e) of RA 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Assisted by his legal counsel, Atty. Julius Caesar Entise, Sarad claimed that the mayor maliciously refused to renew his business permit since 2022. He also accused Villamor of violation of Section 4(c) of RA 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees; and Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of the Philippines, particularly Section 46 (b-2) Oppression, (b-4) Grave Misconduct and (b-27) Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Asked for comment, Villamor said he was only doing his job.

“E lift up nlang siya nko ni Lord Sir . Just doing my job,” he told The Freeman.

The complainant alleged that despite compliance of all the requirements needed for the issuance of a business permit, the mayor refused to approve his application. According to Sarad, he started RJ and MJ Merchandise sometime in 2019 at Barangay Cogon West, Carmen, Cebu. The business involves selling of rice and corn and an eatery.

Sarad said that he was issued with a business permit by the Office of the Municipal Mayor in the year 2019, 2020 and 2021. However, in the years 2022 and 2023 the mayor already refused to issue a business permit.

Sarad said he complied with all the requirements mandated by the Office of the Municipal Treasurer but still no permit was issued to him. Despite the non-issuance of permit, Sarad said he continued his operations.

This year, Sarad again applied for business permit and complied with all the requirements, including payment of back taxes. But despite of everything, the mayor still refused to issue a business permit prompting him to inquire from the office of the mayor.

According to Sarad, he was told that the mayor did not sign his business permit allegedly owing to his lack of lessor’s permit.

“It is crystal clear that a Lessor's Permit was not among the documents required by the Office of the Municipal Treasurer as shown in the checklist,” Sarad said.

Sarad said that on May 15, 2024 the mayor closed his business causing him “tremendous injury” and deprived him of his daily income as well as his employees. — (FREEMAN)