Muntinlupa mayor cries harassment by plastic firms

By Aie Balagtas See (The Philippine Star) Updated April 30, 2011 12:00 AM

Manila, Philippines – Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro yesterday branded as “harassment” the criminal and administrative cases filed against him before the Ombudsman by manufacturers opposing the city’s total ban on plastic bags.

“That’s just harassment. Maybe they only want attention because why only now (the filing of case)? The ordinance was passed a year ago and affected parties were given one year to comply,” San Pedro told The STAR over the phone.

He said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint but vowed to file counter charges.

“I’ll make sure I give them a good fight,” he added. San Pedro said that the plastic firms are just “harassing” him because other cities are following suit. He said plastic manufacturers “should not just think of earning money but the welfare of the people.”

In a separate interview, lawyer Raymund Palad – who represents the Philippine Plastic Industry Association – said the cases were lodged last April 27 after they felt that the ordinance was “defective.”

“The complaint against San Pedro is in connection with his oppressive implementation of the total plastic ban without due process of law and in clear violation of the provision of the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management act of 2000,” the complaint read.

Palad said they filed the case after the city government declined their request to suspend the city ordinance.