Gonzalez to study liability of Ayala Land in Glorietta 2 blast

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Friday said he will study the complaint lodged by the Philippine National Police first before convening a panel of prosecutors to handle the case. Gonzalez also said he will study the complaint and the evidence presented by the PNP to see if there is “corporate liability" on the part of Ayala Land Inc., owner of the Glorietta malls. The DOJ, he added, has the final say who will be respondents in the case that will be filed before the courts. Earlier, the Philippine National Police said Friday the next stage of the Glorietta 2 case is now the Justice Department’s show. PNP Metro Manila commander Dir. Geary Barias said it is now up to the DOJ to evaluate the evidence gathered and presented by the PNP in the cases it will file against at least 15 personalities. “Bahala na mamaya ang DOJ magsuri ng ebidensyang nakalap namin. Suriin nila kung tama ba ang file naming kaso (It is up to the DOJ to evaluate the evidence we gathered. They will have to examine if the cases we lodged can stand in court)," Barias said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the PNP expected to file the charges before the justice department within the day Friday. Earlier, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, himself a lawyer, maintained that the charges can stand in court. At least 11 persons were killed and more than 100 were injured after a blast ripped through the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City on October 19 last year. Police disclosed Thursday their findings on the incident, which they said was a gas blast and not a bombing or a terrorist act. “From investigation it will now go to prosecution ... Di ito act of terrorism kundi pagsabog (It was not an act of terrorism but an accidental explosion)," Barias said. The PNP said it found evidence to file criminal and administrative charges against 15 people for negligence that led to the Glorietta 2 blast. Among those who will be charged criminally for reckless imprudence and gross negligence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property are: * Engr. Candelario Valdueza, Project Engineer of Makati Supermarket Corp. (MSC); * Engr. Marcelo Botenes, Building Engineer of MSC-Glorietta 2; * Engr. Jowell Velvez, Bldg Administrator of MSC-Glorietta 2; * Engr. Arnel Gonzales, Bldg Manager of MSC-Glorietta 2; * Engr. Clifford Arriola, Operation Manager of Marchem Industrial Sales and Services Inc.; * Joselito Buenaventura, Supervisor, MARCHEM; * Charlie Nepomuceno, MARCHEM Maintenance Personnel; * Jonathan Ibuna, MARCHEM Maintenance Personnel; and * Juan Ricafort, MARCHEM Maintenance Personnel. Recommended to be charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and administrative charges for gross neglect of duty are: * SFO4 Anthony Grey, Fire Safety Inspector, Makati City Fire Station; * SFO2 Leonilo Balais, Fire Safety Inspector, Makati City Fire Station; and * Fire Sr. Insp. Reynaldo Enoc, Fire Prevention Officer, Makati City Fire Station A separate case for violation of the Fire Code of the Philippine (PD 1185) against the Makati Supermarket Corporation, and the Ayala Property Management Corporation, including: * Engr. Ricardo Cruz, Operations Manager of Metalline Enterprises; and * Miguel Velasco Jr, Foreman. Also facing administrative charges for Simple Neglect of Duty is Fire Chief Insp. Jose Embang Jr, City Fire Marshall of Makati City. "The generation and accumulation of gas became possible due to negligence of personnel tasked to maintain facilities in the basement," said Southern Police District director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman, in his presentation Thursday. On the other hand, Ayala Land Inc., which runs the Glorietta malls, said it is ready to defend itself in court. - GMANews.TV