For illegal renting of Bazaar stalls: 9 vendors banned

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Legal Office has recommended to Mayor Edgardo Labella the ban of at least nine vendors in the Cebu City Night Market Bazaar.

City Legal Officer Rey Gealon disclosed that these individuals were found to have engaged in unauthorized occupancy, selling and, renting of the stalls provided to them by the Office of the Market Administrator.

According to Gealon, some readily admitted to have subleased their respective stalls for more personal gain while others did not heed the notice to explain based from the official report of Market Administrator Jonil Matuguina.

"We need honest market vendors, as hoped for by the Mayor - envisioning a vibrant and progressive night market," he said.

"For how can we be sure if they are honest in their dealings with the buying public whom the Mayor sought to protect, if they cannot be simply honest by themselves," he added.

To recall, Labella instructed the CLO and Market Operations Division to conduct an investigation regarding the alleged selling of spots in the night market which was reported a week after its launching.

The night market spots were reportedly sold in the amount of at least P5,000 to P20,000 per month.

On December 16, CLO was furnished with copies of the investigation reports prepared by Ernie Pardillo and approved by Matuguina from the Market Operations Division.

The reports showed that Bazaar space No. 226 was awarded to Lawrence Ricaña but admittedly subleased to Jomar Saidomha; Bazaar space No. 248 was awarded to Carmelita Estal but allegedly sold/subleased to Lolita Saromines; and Bazaar space No. 306 was awarded to Lucman Sailaden but allegedly sold/leased to a certain Mr. Alexander.

Meanwhile, Bazaar space No. 174 was illegally occupied by Asnifah Pangadan and/or Aidah P. Papandayan, unregistered vendor, and Bazaar space No. 178 was illegally occupied by Reynaldo Gañolon, another unregistered vendor.

The CLO recommended that these individuals, including their spouses, if any, be banned from selling at the Cebu City Night Market Bazaar and their assigned or occupied spaces be immediately returned to the control of Market Operations Division for proper disposition.

Labella, in a previous interview, said the reason why the night market was not immediately implemented because he wanted to ensure that no corrupt practices will occur there.

He emphasized that what the city government is giving the vendors is the privilege to sell, not selling the privilege given to them.

The city government launched the night market on December 1 for the displaced sidewalk vendors by the road clearing.

Matuguina earlier said that as what Labella announced, the night market is still probationary until January 2020 for the Sinulog festivities.

After January, it will be assessed if its operation should be continued or stopped.

The Cebu City Night Market Bazaar can accommodate at least 500 vendors.  JMD (FREEMAN)