Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella has requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod to authorize him to represent the city and to sign the complaint and other pleadings in the ejectment case against Harry and Geraldine Tan of Lion's Park Grill Haus at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City.

Puentevella also requested that the SP to authorize City Legal Officer Rayfrando Diaz ll, lawyers Omar Francis Demonteverde, Reuben Mikhail Sabig, Elnora Orola-Abaygar and Lorenzo Alminaza of the CLO to represent the city as counsel.

In his letter to the SP dated April 29, Puentevella said the lawyers will represent the city in all stages of the case; enter into an amicable settlement as they may deem necessary and advantageous, or to submit alternative modes of dispute resolution; to sign and deliver the preliminary conference order of the court, to sign, execute and deliver compromise agreements and other pertinent documents that may be issued in the course of the trial.

The Lion's Park is part of the 13,783 square meter property at Rizal Street, Road Lot 4 and Burgos Street at the Reclamation Area that houses the Manokan Country and the Vendor's Plaza including an adjacent parking area that SM Prime Holdings Inc. has proposed to purchase.

Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito said yesterday that the SP did not discuss the request of Puentevella to file a complaint against the owners of Lion's Park Grill Haus. But they have authorized the lawyers of the CLO to represent the city as counsel.

Distrito said that since he and Councilor Em Ang had approved the 15-year contract of Lion's Park with the city, they voted with qualification yesterday for the reason that it should be the court that should handle the case so at the least the procedure or process will be followed.

They believe it should be the court that will decide who has the rightful possession since the Lion's Park has a 15-year contract that will expire in 2027 yet. Since the city claims that it has committed violations, let the court decide, he said.

Asked if the Lion's Park has been delinquent in its monthly payment, Distrito said the rental payment of Lions Park is updated.*CGS

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