Robin Padilla pleads innocent in building construction case

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Robin Padilla on Thursday entered a "not guilty" plea during his arraignment in court over charges of violation of the National Building Code in connection with a school he is building in Quezon City. Padilla pleaded innocent to charges of violation of the National Building Code filed against him before the Padilla, assisted by his legal counsel Patricio Tanpingco Jr., entered the plea at the sala of Catherine Manodon, presiding judge of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 42. Judge Manodon set the pre-trial hearing of the case on July 2. The case stemmed from a complaint of a village official in June 2005 that Padilla “unlawfully and knowingly" constructed and erected extension on his two-story residence at No. 9 Maple Street, Barangay West Fairview without the proper building permit. Following Barangay Chairman Jose Arnel Quebal’s complaint, the Quezon City Building Official sent a notice of violation dated June 2, 2005 to Padilla, directing him “to stop immediately all illegal building activities in his premises and to coordinate with the office of the building official." The notice of violation noted that the construction has no building permit, no logbook/resident engineer/architect jobsite; and had no signboard/building permit installed. Court records show that even during the preliminary investigation of the case, Padilla failed to secure the necessary building permit. Padilla, out on bail after posting a P4,000 cash bond, expressed frustration that the case has hindered a project meant for young children. “Nalulungkot po ako sa pangyayari, sana ay maayos na natin upang maging magandang ehemplo sa ating bansa. Isang paaralan po ang pinatayo kaya sana ay suportahan po natin," said Padilla. [I hope the case would be resolved soon to give a good example to our nation. We are putting up a school and I hope we get the necessary support.] According to Rodolfo Bernardo, administrator of the Paaralan ng Liwanag ng Kapayapaan, Padilla converted his house into a school and had it renovated in 2005 to serve as a school for Muslim and Christian children. Bernardo said they have applied for a building permit with the city government but it was opposed by the homeowner’s association reportedly on grounds that the school would increase incidents of “akyat-bahay" in their subdivision. - GMANews.TV