Pelayo to file raps vs Luciano

BY: Joel P. Mapiles


CANDABA, Pamp. --- Mayor Jerry Pelayo is bent on filing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Victor Luciano, president of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), on the alleged unauthorized demolition of old warehouses inside the CIAC property.

Pelayo said that if Luciano fails to shed light on his complaint to the CIAC board of directors headed by chairman Nestor Mangio -- who also heads the fact-finding committee on the alleged demolition -- he has no option but to file a complaint with the support of 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin whom Pelayo said is willing to testify and become a co-complainant.

Pelayo asked that if the old buildings were demolished into pieces of scrap, did the proceeds go to the coffers of the corporation and to the intended beneficiaries?

Pelayo even challenged Luciano to have a friendly debate if only to clarify the issues hounding the recent demolition of several buildings within the jurisdiction of CIAC.

Pelayo said he was surprised about the news that at least 16 buildings were already turned into scrap by contractors within the civil aviation complex.

In a media interview over RW 95.1 FM, Luciano was heard as saying that the said buildings that have been demolished were categorized as ransacked, condemned and unserviceable, meaning they have no value.

Luciano even said that the concerned Aetas from Bamban, Tarlac had managed to secure a clearance and approval from the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to demolish and donate the scrap materials of the “condemned” building to the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (BATA).

However, Luciano admitted that it was the demolition contractors who actually managed the demolition, as the Aetas have no implements to do so.

Pelayo insisted that only one building has been granted to the Aetas for demolition and donation, as claimed by former PMS head Hermogenes Esperon.

Pelayo even said he was told by Esperon that the scrap materials of the said building will be sold, proceeds of which will be given to the BATA members to augment their daily living.

In his investigation, however, Pelayo revealed that the Aetas were only given rice allocation.

If this is the case, Pelayo asked actually benefited from the demolition and why the supposed Aeta beneficiaries did not really receive the proceeds from the scrap.

Pelayo said the buildings, prior to their demolition, were still serviceable and could have been used as training centers if given enough maintenance.

However, Luciano said the condemned buildings -- including the building where Pelayo is holding his Farm Fresh 25 project – are an eyesore.

With this, the mayor said to put things clear, he is set to attend the CIAC board meeting anytime soon to shed light on his complaint about the demolished buildings.