THE feisty Manila Congressman Rolan ‘CRV’ Valeriano of Tondo’s second district has raised the need to thoroughly investigate the highly controversial attempted demolition in Mayhaligue, Sta. Cruz, Manila last May 16.
For starters, he is pushing for a Congressional probe, as he questioned the circumstances behind the sale of the lot involved in the said issue during a privileged speech.
Valeriano also called for a moratorium while the laws governing demolition and relocation are yet to be reviewed and amended, saying: “Hindi pupuwedeng tuloy-tuloy lang ang pagwasak ng mga tahanan habang ‘butas-buitas’ ang sistema.”
Interestingly, Valeriano said that there is a much deeper issue in the Mayhaligue incident.
According to the legislator, no one has ever taken an interest in the said area since the 1950s, so settlers lived there.
“Pero kelan lang, biglaang naibenta sa kumpanyang 2288 Etan Realty Corp. Paano ito naibenta nang ganung kabilis? May transparency ba, legal ba? Ang masakit pa, habang me gusot ay mabilis na kumilos ang goons para sa demolisyon na nagmamadaling ihabol bago mag-June 30,” Valeriano stated.
He added: “Matagal nang umiiral ang modus ng mga kompanya ang paghanap ng mga lupang me informal settlers. Bibilhin ang lupa nang murang-mura, maghahain ng kaso para mapaalis ang mga maralita at pag na-demolish na ay ibebenta sa mas mataas na halaga. ‘Massive profit at the expense of the poor,’
Valeriano said there is an immediate need for a thorough probe into the attempted demolition, not only in Mayhaligue but also in Barangay 227 in District 2, as he expressed belief that lawmakers are supposed to be defenders of the oppressed.
Regarding the case of the Mayhaligue incident, Valeriano stressed that no due process was employed, noting that there was no clear notice given to the residents, no relocation or alternative was offered to the more than 400 families who have been living there for the past almost 70 years and there is no clearance from the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor as mandated by Republic Act 7279 Urban Development and Housing Act and Executive Order 152 series of 2002.
He further noted: “Gumamit din ng sangkaterbang pulis na naka-full battle gear at akala mo me giyera. Ang pagkaka-isyu ng korte ng temporary restraining order noong May 27 ay isang matibay na patibay na may kakulangan sa proseso, kaya dapat magkaroon ng Congressional inquiry ukol sa insidente dahil ito ay usapin ng batas, hustisya at karapatang pantao.”
Valeriano underscored the need to strike a balance between social justice and due process on one hand, and the right of the lot owner and the welfare of the informal settlers who cannot be treated like trash, on the other.
At the end of his speech, Cong. Valeriano bared that it was in the very said area where Vice President Sara Duterte stood during the campaign period to attack him. This, he said, is most likely the reason why he won another three-year term.
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