BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has directed Mayor Jerry Treñas to answer the complaint filed against him for allowing the demolition of the 80-year-old art deco façade of the Iloilo Central Market.
In a two-page order dated Sept. 10, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visaya Dante Vargas gave Treñas 10 days to answer the complaint filed by Nereo Lujan, a cultural heritage advocate and chief of the Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO).
Lujan accused Treñas of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming, and acts prejudicial to the interest of service in a complaint he filed before the Ombudsman-Visayas in July.
“Failure to comply as herein directed within the period prescribed by the rules of procedure of this Office shall be deemed a waiver of the right to present the party’s counter-affidavit or reply-affidavit and the investigation shall proceed according to existing rules,” the order read.
Likewise, the anti-graft office reminded the mayor that a motion to dismiss, a Bill of Particulars, and other dilatory motions such as motions for extension of time, second motions for reconsideration and/or re-investigation are prohibited pleadings and will be stricken off from the records of the case.
The Office of the Building Official (OBO) issued the permit to demolish the façade of the building, which is part of the historic central market, as part of the urban redevelopment and modernization plans of the public markets.
The structure, notable for its unique design, symbolized Iloilo City’s historical and cultural identity.
The Central Market and the Iloilo Terminal Market are undergoing redevelopment through a public-private partnership, which aims to modernize the two markets while preserving their historical value.
The NHCP designated Central Market as a Cultural Tourism Heritage Zone in 2013 and a Historic Center through NHCP Resolution No. 3 series 2014.
Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, aims to “protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, its property and histories, and the ethnicity of local communities, and establish and strengthen cultural institutions.”
A letter from then NHCP Chair Rene Escalante dated Feb. 20, 2023, showed that the commission was amenable to the development plans for the Central Market.
“Upon review of the documents and proposed development plans of the old Iloilo Central Market, the [NHCP] is amenable to the project since it will restore the original architectural character of the old Iloilo Central Market,” Escalante said in the letter.
Treñas had repeatedly explained the OBO issued the demolition permit before the construction because the structure was no longer structurally safe.
In his complaint, Lujan said the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 calls for the conservation of cultural properties that have been marked by the National Museum and the National Historical Institute before the implementation of the law.
The above law prohibits anyone who “destroys, demolishes, mutilates, or damages any world heritage site, national cultural treasures, important cultural property, and archeological and anthropological sites.”
The complaint also stated that Treñas failed to comply with the guidelines and requirements for lifting the presumption procedures with the NHCP.
Lujan alleged that the mayor was even the one who signed the application for demolition.
His complaint accused Treñas of having committed grave misconduct for allowing the demolition of the Art Deco allegedly without any clearance and approval from the NHCP, which established rules for the demolition of the heritage and cultural tourism buildings.
Likewise, Lujan charged Treñas with conduct unbecoming and prejudicial to the best interest of public service.
As the mayor, Lujan said Treñas must protect the city and its constituents as well as the historical structures that were declared as historic centers.
He said the mayor betrayed the public trust when he failed to protect and uphold the law for the preservation and conservation of historical structures.
“Undoubtedly, not following the laws and processes that protect Iloilo Central Market, a prominent part of the historic center, before it may be demolished is a betrayal of the public’s trust,” said Lujan.
Apart from preventive suspension, Lujan also asked the anti-graft office to dismiss Treñas from the service, disqualify him from holding any government position, and forfeit all his benefits, if found guilty./PN
