The trouble brewing at the Makati City Hall, where Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay and Vice Mayor Romulo Pena both hold office as head of the city government, is sowing confusion among Makati constituents, including small and medium enterprises, that have business to transact with city hall.
The Makati Business club has issued a warning that the situation may hurt the investment climate, with small businessmen likely to be most adversely affected.
The situation began early this month when Binay refused to leave his office after receiving a suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman over charges of anomalous city government contracts. He later filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO), which was granted by the Court of Appeals, after Pena had taken his oath as acting mayor.
With Binay still discharging duties as mayor and Pena having setting up office in the old city hall as acting mayor, constituents are hard pressed to know which camp is truly in charge of the Makati City government.
Makati Business Club (MBC) executive director Peter Perfecto pointed out small firms operating locally need clarity on which party to approach at city hall when they ask for approvals and permits.
“We want to see this situation resolved as soon as possible. It’s in everyone’s interest to see this issue settled,” he said.
MAP President Francisco del Rosario voiced the same fears. “This will delay business operations and cash disbursements. “ He said that though the situation will not affect capital markets“ an early resolution will be appreciated by the business community.
Meanwhile the Bankers Association of the Philippines said that its member-banks will remain unaffected by the situation. “Our members are operating normally. There have been no disruptions,” according to BAP executive director Cesar Virtusio.
Photo: from pcij.org