THE largest group of garbage haulers in Metro
Manila yesterday called on Rodriguez mayor Pedro Cuerpo to
"abide by the legal processes in order to arrive at a peaceful
resolution to its conflict with the Metro Manila Development
Authority".
The Solid Waste Contractors Association of
the Philippines (SWACAP) aired the call after the MMDA announced
last Tuesday that it will file indirect contempt charges against
Cuerpo for allegedly violating the injunction slapped against
him by the Makati court which ordered the "free and unobstructed
access to the Rizal provincial landfill" in Rodriguez town.
MMDA threatened to file the suit against
Cuerpo after the latter allegedly impounded some 15 garbage
trucks despite the Makati RTC order.
Some six months ago, the SWACAP questioned
payments being exacted by Cuerpo before the Rizal provincial
board. The latter ruled in August 2007 that the exaction by
Cuerpo of payments from haulers using the Rizal provincial
landfill was without legal basis since it did not have the prior
approval of the provincial board which was required by law.
The Department of Justice upheld the Rizal
provincial board declaration that the charges were illegal,
adding that a defiance of the ruling is a violation of the Local
Government Code which could result in suspension or dismissal
from office.
SWACAP said the garbage issue "cannot be resolved speedily
and peacefully unless all parties concerned respect the legal
and judicial processes".
