As expected by city officials, a civil case seeking the declaration of nullity of the contract between the Bacolod City government and Hilmarc's Construction Corp. for the construction of the Bacolod City Government Center was filed Friday before the Regional Trial Court.

The case was filed individually by Ben Solilapsi, spokesperson of Alab Katipunan, Jesus Lazaro, Mike Carriedo, Abraham Tingson and Allan Calilan (who are all identified with the group called Nagakabalaka nga mga Pumuluyo sg Bacolod), their counsel Rolando Villamor said yesterday.

Villamor said the case was filed against Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the members of the Bids and Awards Committee, and the ten city councilors who granted the Mayor authority to sign the contract with the winning bidder.

They are Councilors Napoleon Cordova, Greg Gasataya, Al Victor Espino, Homer Bais, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Dindo Ramos, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Ana Marie Palermo, Marx Louie de la Rosa and Arturo Parreño.

Villamor said they are questioning the over-pricing of materials and the bidding process, among others. He said they believe the contract is defective because there are provisions of law that were not complied with by the city.

He said the case will be raffled today.

Solilapsi said he believes there should be a re-bidding because the proper process was no observed. He said they are not opposing the project and that there is no politician behind them. He said they just want to protect the interest of the people who will be the ones paying for the loan for 15 years.

BAC chairman Goldwyn Nifras said they have been waiting for the case to be filed so they could present their side before the court. He said he is thankful that they will be able to face the controversy in the proper forum, so the issue will be put to rest.

Councilor Al Victor Espino said he believes he will be vindicated in any court and he is glad that the case was finally filed so they could defend themselves.

He said Villamor, had been an influence in his political career. He said it will sadden him if Villamor filed the case because he has plans to run for office and will use the government center as his platform. "That will strip me of my respect for him."

"I hope he is not doing this for any political gain but for the interest of the people," Espino said, "then I will respect him even more."

City Legal Allan Zamora said he has also been expecting the case to be filed especially now that it is the start of the political season. "We believe many want the government center but there are politicians who do not want it pursued since it will be a credit to the Mayor," he said.

He believes they followed all the process, he added.

Zamora said the KABALAKA group held a rally in front of City Hall last year and he discovered that most of them are supporters of former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez. One of them is even a representative of one of the losing bidders, Tokwing Construction, he said (referring to Jesus Lazaro).*CGS

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