EXCLUSIVE: Binay, Erap dispute Central Market property



MANILA - Is this cool-off the signal of the end of their bromance?

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and political ally Vice President Jejomar Binay are at odds this Valentine's after the former Philippine president failed to get the latter’s outright approval to re-develop the iconic Central Market in his city.

"Tumayo ako. Iniwan ko sila sa meeting," Estrada said in an interview on the sidelines of a Filipino-Chinese gathering in Century Park Hotel on Tuesday night.

Estrada wanted to enter into public-private partnership with SM Development Corp. which has offered to rebuild the Central Market in Sta. Cruz, Manila into a 3-level structure with a grocery on the ground level and roof-deck parking.

“Hulog ng langit ba yung SM, nag offer na they’re willing PPP (public-private partnership). They will spend for all the cost of the market. Kami walang gastos. Yung isang floor lang gagamitin nila, the rest sa amin na. Malaki na income namin, wala pa kaming nagastos,” Estrada said in an exclusive interview that aired on "Umagang Kay Ganda."

“Itutuloy ko yan kahit magkatampuhan man kami,” Estrada said.

However, the city of Manila has no rights over the property that prevents the local government from developing the market, according to Home Guaranty Corp. (HGC), which owns the property.

HGC is a shelter agency under the Housing and Urban Development Council (HUDCC) that is headed by Binay. It provides government guarantees for loans that bankroll housing projects.

Estrada was advised by Binay that all actions pertaining to the sale of the Old Bilibid Compound – a huge parcel of land to which the Central Market property is a part of – have to be reviewed by the Department of Finance and must undergo public bidding.

A masterplan must also be presented and approved prior to any action concerning the property.

Source: EXCLUSIVE: Binay, Erap dispute Central Market property | ABS-CBN News
Gagawin atang savemore ng sm ang g/f ng central market.....