‘DOUBLE-CROSS’ ANGLE HINTED IN SLAY TRY VS. LIM AIDE

By Marlon Ramos, Allison Lopez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Filed Under: Crime, Law & Justice,Local authorities


MANILA, Philippines – The attempt last week on the life of Rafaelito Garayblas, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s executive secretary, could be the handiwork of people whom the former allegedly “double-crossed.”
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Chinatown Development Authority of Manila (MCDA) secretary general, said in an interview earlier this week that the slay try could be an offshoot of “under the table deals” at the Manila City Hall between Garayblas and some businessmen.
MCDA, an agency created by Lim, is made up of some of the most influential Chinese-Filipino businessmen in the city, with Dante Ang, head of Commission on Overseas Filipinos, as chair.
Topacio, who said he was appointed to his post by Lim, said he learned about the supposed irregularities at City Hall when some Chinese-Filipino traders came to his office to air their concerns.
These included Garayblas’ alleged involvement in the city government’s controversial P400 million-garbage collection project.
The businessmen also claimed that Garayblas influenced the conduct of the bidding for metal plates used in making business permits, Topacio added.
“As executive secretary of the mayor, the documents about these projects go directly to Garayblas. Projects will not start unless he gives his blessing,” he told the Inquirer.
Asked if Lim knew about the supposed corruption in his administration, Topacio replied, “Maybe he doesn’t. But now he should.”
Topacio, who said he was appointed as assistant secretary when Lim took over as interior secretary, said he had even written the mayor about the purported irregularities at City Hall although he did not receive any reply.
“I respect Mayor Lim. He is a good and incorruptible public servant. But I suggest that he use his skills as a former police general to investigate the dealings of some of his trusted men,” he said.
Lim, however, stood by Garayblas in the face of Topacio’s allegations.
Sought for comment, he dismissed the reports as “conjectures” and said the city government would let the police do its job of probing the attempt on Garayblas’ life.
“We cannot indulge in these speculations. We will let the Quezon City police do their work because they are the principal investigators of this ambush. We will just play a supporting role because we are also interested in finding out who are the masterminds who commissioned these people to kill Secretary Garayblas,” he told the Inquirer Wednesday.
On June 12, motorcycle-riding men opened fire on Garayblas’ car as it was traveling on Quezon Avenue at around 7:30 p.m.
His companions, among them his 27-year-old son Paulo, managed to return fire and kill one of the gunmen.
Five other people were wounded in the attack while one of the gunmen, later identified as Christopher Abasula, was killed by the official’s bodyguards.
Lim defended his longtime lawyer-friend for his “integrity and character” and said Garayblas could not be involved in irregularities.
“He is a stickler for what the law is and for complying with existing regulations. You cannot make him change his mind once he has decided, because he will stand by what is the rule of law,” he added.
Lim, however, stressed that anyone who has knowledge about questionable transactions should come out in the open and back it up with evidence.
“My policy there is I will not make any comment unless it is supported by facts. If someone knows something, we will pursue it,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an open letter posted at the City Hall website, Garayblas’ son and assistant secretary to the mayor, Pio, said the rumors about his father were “not true.”
“Instead of emulating and honoring the dedication, integrity and sacrifices of people like my father, these people are trying to destroy him. My father will not back down and I hope the people who believe in him will not lose faith in him,” Pio said.
He thanked those who have expressed support for his father, even the people behind the slay attempt, saying the incident has given them a “stronger resolve.”