Ukay, ukat - 2

Today Occidental Negros commemorates the 1898 Revolution that removed the Spanish government and installed a Filipino one. Except for a few dead and wounded in Mandalagan and in Himamaylan, the revolution was swift – it ended the following day with the surrender of the Spanish government.

But let us continue with the case involving the ukay-ukay which is also revolutionary in a sense that some people might be removed from power forever, not by force of arms but by force of law. Except for verbal and legal battles that have dragged on for years, the Bacolod revolution will result in political casualties that will be irretrievable.

Anyway, let's continue with the ukay-ukay case that is going into high gear with the appearance of the major witness, Marife Fernandez, that I mentioned yesterday. Her affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman can be considered as the smoking gun and the persona of the gunmen that Councilor Carl Lopez called “co-conspirators”.

I mentioned yesterday that Marife Fernandez disappeared after she came out in media demanding that Rocky Puentevella and Kasadya Bacolod Foundation return their money after the stalls were demolished. The NBI could not even locate her.

Her disappearance and the refusal of Rhoderick Samonte to give a statement to the NBI were used by the Puentevellas as defense. Without a witness and a victim how can a case prosper?

Then an affidavit signed by Fernandez on October 14, 2015 came out narrating what happened and presenting documentary evidence showing the money she paid and to whom. Now there is a victim who is a witness and documents to back up her claim.

According to Councilor Lopez, he received a letter on October 13 from Fernandez relative to this case. She included her contact number which made it easier to find her. Lopez apparently facilitated her affidavit and its submission to the Ombudsman since Lopez is the complainant in this case.

Let Fernandez tell the story in her affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman as she wanted “the truth to come out”. I just edited it to remove the extraneous legalese so it is easier to understand and shortened it a bit.

“On December 10, 2013 Rocky Puentevella, the son of Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, and also the Mayor's Executive Assistant, in my presence issued me in his handwriting a ‘receipt' in the sum of P100,000.00 for the issuance of the ‘special permit' for the operation of the ‘Ukay Ukay' at the public plaza along Gatuslao Street.”

The December 10, 2013 receipt attached to the affidavit is a piece of paper handwritten and signed by Rocky Puentevella “for special permit”.

“Rocky Puentevella told me that since I and my group are operating thirty two- (32) stalls from December 2013 until the following month of January 2014 to complete a one-month operation, then his total charge will be P250,000.00 such that I meanwhile paid him another P100,000.00 on December 16, 2013 with the balance of P50,000.00 payable towards the end of the one-month operation.

“When I paid the P100,000.00, this time I asked for an official receipt from Rocky Puentevella upon which he told me that the one that will issue the receipt will be the Kasadya Bacolod Foundation, Inc.”

A photocopy of KBFI Official Receipt No. 0156 dated December 16, 2013 for P100,000.00 was attached to the affidavit. It had no particulars what the payment was for or whether paid in cash or check. The signature of the issuing person is illegible.

“However, I and my other peddlers composing the 32 stalls were only allowed to operate the sale until January 01, 2014 because we were told by Rocky Puentevella that we have to stop selling since there was no ‘permit' for our continued operation.

“It was also at that time that I realized that Rocky Puentevella did not work out our “Ukay Ukay” permit despite the fact that I already paid him in advance the P100,000,00 under his assurance that he can produce the permit.

“I complained to Rocky Puentevella about his deceptive manner of dealing with us ‘Ukay Ukay' peddlers. But Rocky Puentevella told us that the decision of his father, Mayor Monico Puentevella was to allow us to resume by summer time or for two months, starting April 2014 up to the end of May 2014. He will allow us to operate again (April-May) at the public plaza if we will pay the additional P300,000,00.)”

Let's continue tomorrow so you don't get hung up on the suspense of juicer revelations.*

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