LAPU-LAPU CTY, Cebu — A retired police officer sought the court docket’s help to declare the Municipality of Sogod’s Municipal Water Code null and void.
Jose Marie Espino and his spouse, Rose Espino, each residents of Sogod city, filed a petition for a writ of preliminary injunction earlier than the Regional Trial Court docket in Danao Metropolis.
Espino was a former regional director of the Police Regional Workplace (PRO)-7.
Among the many respondents of the petition have been Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie Streegan and the members of the municipal council.
The couple alleged that the water charges within the city have elevated by 150 % since Municipal Ordinance No. 15-2003, or the Municipal Water Code, was handed and authorized by the mayor on November 14, 2023.
In line with the petitioners, no public listening to was held earlier than the ordinance was handed.
“Final yr, it was already reported that there could be a rise within the water price. They saved it beneath wraps. The municipal and barangay officers have been the one ones who performed public hearings. There have been nearly 50 of them,” Espino mentioned.
He said that as a resident and businessman, he was amongst these affected by the sudden improve in water charges.
“I began the trigger towards the water price improve in Sogod. I used to be very vocal. I took up the cudgels for the individuals of Sogod as a result of why would they improve the water price when there was no public listening to?” he added.
He additionally described the passage of the Municipal Water Code as irregular.
“The directors mentioned we couldn’t do something anymore as a result of the ordinance has been handed. However they’ll’t implement it now that I filed for a brief restraining order,” he mentioned.
Espino added that the timing of the rise was significantly dangerous, particularly since their water provide was not steady because of the results of the El Niño phenomenon. Moreover, when it rains closely, the water from their taps turns brown.
Earlier than the ordinance was handed, the minimal residential water price was solely P100 per 10 cubic meters. Nevertheless, it elevated to P250 per 10 cubic meters after the ordinance took impact.
Within the petition, Espino described the ordinance as unconstitutional and invalid “on the bottom that it straight contravenes the 1987 Philippine Structure and different legal guidelines.”
“The enactment of such an unconstitutional ordinance constitutes grave abuse of discretion on the a part of the Legislative and Govt branches of the Native Authorities Unit of the Municipality of Sogod,” a part of the petition reads.
He mentioned the 150 % improve was “unjust, extreme, oppressive, and confiscatory.”
Espino additionally denied the allegation that he was inquisitive about coming into politics within the city.
“I’ve no plans of becoming a member of politics. I’ve simply taken up the cudgels for the individuals of Sogod. They’re towards the water improve however are usually not voicing their issues,” he clarified.
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