Isko Moreno shuts down Isetann on Recto for operating sans permits

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday ordered the closure of Isetann Mall on Recto Avenue for not following the ban on the sale of used cellphones and operating without the business permits required by the city.

According to Moreno, the probe on the alleged sale of stolen gadgets in the establishment led to the discovery of other irregularities in the operations of the mall.

"You got our attention. Sinabihan kayo, napansin kayo. Pabibo kayo eh... Can you imagine, a simple problem. Lumabas tuloy ang mga kalansay sa baul," Moreno said.

"Simple compliance issue. Ito tuloy ang nangyari sa kanila," he added.

"May misdeclaration. Sabi nila ang 1,000 square meters lang daw ang Isetann Recto shopping mall. Sampu lang daw ang empleyado nila," Moreno said.

"In the same manner, they're not only shopping mall. They're also a lessor. ibig sabihi, nagpapaupa sila ng pwesto. 'Yung kanilang lessor business ay walang permit," he added.

Moreno said only one out of the four cinemas in the mall had the necessary permits.

"Nakakalungkot isipin na 'yung mga maliliit na nagpapaupa, nagbabayad ng buwis. Itong malalaking naturingang mall, hindi marunong magbayad ng buwis," Moreno said.

"Hangga't hindi sila nagbabayad ng kaukulang buwis at business permit, hindi sila pwedeng magbukas, until they comply with all the requirements for the issuance of permit," he added. —NB, GMA News