BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- After 20 long years of litigation, the local government unit (LGU) here finally demolished an illegal structure standing on its municipal plaza with the consent of the Municipal Council.
Mayor Cezar Quiambao led on Thursday, October 13, the ceremonial demolition of the structure built by the Municipality of Bayambang Homeowners Savings & Loan Association Inc.
He was joined by members of the Municipal Council and people who earlier filed a petition against the structure.
Quiambao said the event also symbolized that there is no corruption under his new governance.
"The construction of this building within the municipal plaza is illegal and it is clear in the law that plazas and parks are beyond the commerce of man and therefore should not be used for commercial purposes especially the putting up a structure of a private company," he added.
Present during the occasion were Dr. Henry Fernandez, former mayor Feliciano Casingal Jr. and Ofelia Villodres, who filed Civil Case SCC-1984 titled "Action for Declaration of Nullity, Residents of Bayambang vs Municipality of Bayambang Homeowners Savings & Loan Association Inc."
"Thank God! This is a victory upheld by no less than the Supreme Court, which declared that the municipal plazas are beyond the commerce of man. And let me get this clear: I was not alone in this; there were eight of us. I am sad that a few of us are no longer around," said Fernandez, one of the original petitioners against the structure.
The other petitioners were lawyer Teodoro Junio and Oscar Marzo, who were already dead, and Captain Boy Gomez and Rollo Campued, who were not around during the ceremony.
Quiambao said former senator Aquilino Pimentel and Quiambao, who was then a private citizen, also helped win the case by providing their legal service and financial assistance.
Hee said the building will be totally knocked down.
“The police need not use this too as an outpost because their station is just near the place so this will removed here and this area will be part of our beautification project for our plaza,” said Quiambao. (PNA)