For highly recommending the approval and release of the business permit of AVM Bernardo that operates the Bacolod City Slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan, City Legal Officer ll Cesar Beloria is now in trouble with the city.

He is being made to explain by CLO Sarah Villamor why he should not be disciplined by Mayor Monico Puentevella for his recommendation.

That is because Puentevella had said earlier that he does not want the business permit of AVM Bernardo released due to alleged violations in its memorandum of agreement with the city government.

Beloria, however, haf recommended highly that the business permit application of AVM be seasonably approved and released as there is no cogent and lawful ground to hold or restraint it.

However, he said this is without prejudice to the remedy to be exercised by the City of Bacolod on the Memorandum of Agreement involving AVM and the City of Bacolod which is totally a separate matter.

Beloria said records show that, as early as January 2014, AVM had already started processing and paying the City Treasurer, the assessed fees of the respective departments.

AVM has paid an aggregate sum of P109,937.50 for the 1st and 2nd quarter of year 2014, he said.

In his legal opinion, Beloria said, “For all intents and purposes, the applicant has fully complied (with) all the requirements and requisites needed to obtain a business permit”.

He also stated that there is no record to show that the applicant has violated any law or ordinance that would warrant the suspension of the issuance of a business permit for 2014, hence, there is no legal impediment for the issuance of the business permit of AVM for 2014.

Asked for his reaction to the order of Villamor, Beloria said he already submitted his answer to the memo of the Mayor .asking him to explain why he furnished copies of his legal opinion to other offices, such as the Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Treasurer, City Permits and Licensing Division, among others..

Beloria said it is his public duty to provide copies to guide these agencies in their decision, while the City Council has its oversight functions, and it is just proper to furnish them copies of his legal opinion.

Beloria said the Villamor memorandum was issued Wednesday but he was absent on that day and only received it when he reported to work on Thursday.

Beloria noted that, in the memorandum, Villamor also asked him why his recommendation was different from the stand of the mayor, who had announced that AVM Bernardo should not be issued a business permit.

Beloria said that since he was tasked to conduct a study and make a recommendation on AVM Bernardo's case, he sees nothing wrong if his findings will be publicized.

After all, the people have the right to know, and the offices to which he sent his recommendations should also be informed of the result, he said.

The release of the result of his study and recommendation, two days after Puentevella announced his stand, was merely incidental, Beloria said.

He said he will stand pat on his recommendation even if this means that he will be meted sanctions or will be facing charges.*CGS/APN

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