Ombudsman clears Lim, others over Vitas Slaughterhouse takeover case
By Pat C. Santos 05/27/2011The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the criminal and administrative cases filed against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, five other city hall officials and 25 police officers in connection with the takeover of the Vitas slaughterhouse in 2008.
In a resolution, graft investigation and prosecution officer I Michelle Villabesa said Lim “acted in good faith” and that in unilaterally rescinding the contract of lease and taking over the possession and operation of Vitas slaughterhouse, the mayor was “only exercising the rights and remedies available to the city ...pursuant to the contract of lease and compromise agreement for the protection of the city of Manila from loss of income and revenues against delinquent debtors and taxpayers such as Dealco.”
The Dealco, owned by the family of Manila Councilor Dennis Alcoreza, operated the slaughterhouse from 2001 to 2008 through a contract entered into with then Mayor Lito Atienza in 1999 but the city government said Dealco defrauded the city of at least P1.2 billion in monthly revenues during its years of operation, aside from not paying rentals amounting to P2.9 million, real estate taxes worth almost P5 million and P46 million representing the city’s one percent share from its gross income..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110527met4.html
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