Who Should Be Held Responsible in Torre de Manila Mess
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The fire continue as the two old men in Manila City are blaming each other on who should be held responsible for the Torre de Manila fiasco
Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and former Mayor Alfredo Lim both admitted giving developer D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI Homes) the go signal for construction on Torre de Manila, the 46-storey condominium that destroys the view of the Rizal Monument, and over which the two have been trading blame.
Estrada, in an interview with GMA’s Jessica Soho , said that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) maybe to blame for saying the construction would not affect the Rizal monument.
In a separate interview, Lim however said that DMCI was granted an exemption from zoning laws and that all needed documents was completed before the construction began.
“Kumpleto sa papeles iyan eh. Hindi naman maitatayo iyan ng kulang ang papeles,” Lim who said earlier Thursday that his administration had only approved construction of up to 19 floors.
Estrada, who ran against Lim in 2013 and won, however showed the media copies of the building permit that Lim signed, which indicated approval of construction of a 49-storey condominium building.
Asked to confirm that he approved construction, Lim responded: “Oo. Tama iyon. Na-aprubahan ng 49 floors dahil kasi nga nakakuha ng permiso.”
Massive Legal Battle Ahead
DMCI on a separate report released by the Manila Times stated that 90% of the Torre de manila is already sold to its clients. DMCI’s Consunji said that most of the buyers are doctors and government employees, but many also pulled-out because of the controversy.
A legal expert who refused to identify himself said that demolishing the Torre de Manila is highly unlikely due to the involved cost and number of clients who will possibly lost their money if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the complainant.
“Bakit nong itinatayo pa lang na di pa masyado malaki ang gastos walang nakiki-alam? Saan kukunin ng developer ang ginastos nya na mahigit isang bilyong piso kung ipapagiba mo ng basbasta basta yan?. This is a no joke legal battle and I believe Torre de Manila will remain as is for many years to come”, Atty. Francis Peublo, a financial law expert told TPP.
Other lawyers who are following the issue urge DMCI to sue NHCP, LIM, and Estrada because according to them, the mentioned parties are the ones who are responsible in causing huge damage to DMCI business.
“Hindi naman magtatayo yan dyan kung hindi kumpleto ang permit e. Bakit kung kelan pa nagastusan na yong tao saka pa magrereklamo?”, Pueblo added.
“There is no one to be blame but Lim, Estrada, and NHCP as all of them are responsible for this mess. Estrada might have a little role among the three but he is still responsible. NHCP is the major player on this issue and should be held full responsible”, Atty. Sancho Marquez of S&S Law Firm said.
/Carla Gamboa/ Assisted Press
