14 Manila councilors to ask Supreme Court to stop oil depot measure

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen minority members of the Manila City Council, led by Councilor Ma. Lourdes Isip-Garcia, said they will file before the Supreme Court today a petition to stop Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim from implementing Ordinance 8187 (formerly called Ordinance 7177), which would allow the oil depot of the “Big 3” oil firms to stay in Pandacan.

In a text message to reporters yesterday afternoon, Isip-Garcia said among the respondents who will be named in the petition stopping its implementation are Lim, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and the 20 councilors, composing the majority, who approved the ordinance.

Isip-Garcia said she will file a petition questioning the constitutionality of Ordinance 8187, “by way of prohibition and mandamus.” She would also ask the SC to prohibit Lim from implementing the new ordinance and instead enforce Ordinance 8027, which orders the removal of the oil depot in Pandacan.

Last year, the SC declared final its March 7, 2007 decision upholding the legality of Ordinance 8027 issued in 2001 that called for the removal of the depots of Chevron Philippines, Inc., Petron Corp., and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. from Pandacan.

However, Ordinance 8187, which allowed the oil firms to stay in Pandacan, superceded Ordinance 8027.

According to Isip-Garcia, she agreed with the Bishops that Ordinance 8187 will negate whatever gains that have been achieved in the area of clean air, clean water and land use legislation because it would allow heavy and medium-scale industries to operate in the city.

 The 20 councilors who voted for the depots’ stay include Arlene Koa, Jesus Fajardo, Mon Yupangco, Josie Siscar, Roderick Valbuena, Lou Veloso, Dennis Lacuna, Philip Lacuna, Russel Ibay, Ian Nieva, Moises Lim, Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Rolando Valeriano, Carlo Lopez, Ernesto Isip Jr., “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Maceda, Vic Melendez. Honey Lacuna-Pangan, and Louie Chua.

The 14 Councilors who objected to Ordinance 8187 are Isip-Garcia, Dennis Alcoreza, Uno Lim, Marlon Lacson, Manuel Zarcal, Pipay Silva, Joel Chua, Ramon Morales, Jocelyn Quintos, Amy Tolentino, Cora Gernale, Cristina Isip, Joy Dawis-Asuncion and Joey Uy. – Sandy Araneta