Makati City – An air of expectation filled the air at the Auditorium on the 22nd floor of the Makati city hall as Barangay San Lorenzo residents, businessmen and kibitzers awaited the arrival of contending parties on the 1st day of the hearing filed by Kagawads against their Barangay Chairman. The audience was a mixture of socio-economic classes that represented the constituents of Barangay San Lorenzo, on one side sat the marginalized poor living at the Botanical Gardens and on the other, the rich matrons and homeowners of San Lorenzo Village. Among them sat businessmen, staff, press and kibitzers.
First to arrive was Barangay Chairman Santiago together with his lawyers. This was followed by the surprise appearance of Eman Recto, who sat fidgetting along the center isle. Two rows behind sat Marlene Po, editing loudly accusations and charges contained in the white paper that was spread last 25 October. Lawyers representing the Kagawad complainants filed in led by Attorney Fornier (known for filing the case against FPJ questioning his citizenship and seeking his disqualification) and Atty. Flaminiano. Soon after, the Kagawads themselves arrived led by Brigido Sibug and Norman Golez sat on the second row of the august hall.
The rift was apparent as the two contending parties sat with their respective supporters – the besieged Barangay Chairman together with the angry residents from Botanical Gardens and Ecology Village – the 5 Kagawads together with the Doñas of San Lorenzo Village. The contending parties were then ushered to their respective places at the session hall.
As the City Councilors filed in, the air filled with expectation on the initial face-off. Councilor Jun Jun Binay wearing a blue barong underneath a black jacket strode non-challantly to his assigned seat near the rostrum. A position reserved for the majority speaker. Contrary to photographs, the huge man strode in and went to his place at the podium bringing instant silence to the chatter. Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado was ready as he brought the room to order and recognized all the parties involved.
The first order of the day for the council was to adopt a Resolution dispensing with the formal procedures of the hearing. The lawyers of the Barangay Chairman protested, where the Vice Mayor called for a 5 minute recess to explain the matter to the beguiled pair. They reasoned that they have yet to receive a copy of the Resolution and would need time to review it. Vice Mayor Mercado also informed everybody that the Kagawads had submitted a rejoinder to the reply of the Barangay Chairman which was likewise not received by the lawyers. The Vice Mayor hence informed the Council that in view of the reasons and in fairness to all parties involved, the hearing would be reconvened in January which Majority leader Binay approved. To this Norman Golez stood protesting that it was the responsibility of the opposing side to get the documents. He was to continue but was abruptly cut short by Vice Mayor Mercado stating that the Council has already decided. To queries on other comments from the contending parties, Atty. Fornier stood up and tried to goad the council into listening to the introduction of new evidence based on the rejoinder they had made focusing specifically on the waiting sheds . He stated that there were no waiting sheds to be seen anywhere in the vicinity of Barangay San Lorenzo. He also focused on the words used in the Resolution that approved the project failing to recognize however that the said Resolution was signed by the respondent and his clients as well. Before he could proceed further in diminishing his own case, Vice Mayor Mercado reminded him that this is not the proper forum or time for it. As the lawyer tried to further his argument, the Vice Mayor scolded the counsel and reminded all in the hall that for justice to be served fairly, the respondents lawyers will be given the time to review and submit their own rejoinder before January 5, 2009.
The lawyers of the Kagawads were not to be silenced however, they sought the preventive suspension of the respondent even as the Vice Mayor and Councilors had already decided to an adjournment of the proceedings. To this, the Vice Mayor grudgingly called for a recess whereafter at the pleading of the Majority speaker, the previous decisions were upheld to suspend the current hearing and reconvene on the date stated.
So ended the first round of the Barangay San Lorenzo face-off!
Report filed – JMT
San Lorenzo Village Monitor 