Archival shrugs off graft raps: ‘Samok-samok lang’

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival isn’t losing sleep over Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover’s graft raps.

He said his critic is only “looking for fame” by questioning the legality of the Colon Street Night Market.

In his response to the administrative and criminal case filed against him by Alcover on Oct. 29, Archival said the Colon Street Night Market 2025 is legal, transparent, and beneficial to small vendors and the city.

“Iya manang katungod, ato nang paminawon. Of course, I still stand with what I have said kay nagbayad mana sila ug buwis. Wala mana sila nag-claim diha unya wala silay gibayad. In fact, sa gisulti ni Konsehal Paul, dako ang syudad ana. Dili pareho sauna nga walay nakuha, karon nahitabo na nuon nga illegal,” Archival said.

“Pero kani mao mani ang role niya sa iyang kinabuhi, pasagdan nalang na nato siya,” he added.

The mayor said he was caught off guard by the complaint, describing it as “samok-samok lang” and unworthy of attention.

“Wala ko nag-expect ana kay tarong man ta nga pagkatawo. Mangita man gyud siya’g samok,” Archival said.

“Of course, ako siya gistoryahan nganong ato manang ipahunong nga legal mana ang gabayad. Katong mga tawo nga… ang angay niyang pangitaon katong mga tawo nga nagtinda sauna pila ka tuig nga wala gabayad, mao nay angay pangitaon. Dili pwede gukdon niya ang mga tawo nga gahatag ug benepisyo sa atong syudad, mao na nuon iyang gukoron.”

When asked what he expects from his first legal encounter as mayor, Archival said he is unfazed.

“Gitubag naman sa City Legal thru the legal opinion, natubag na daan. Gusto ra gyud guro na siya mosikat kay everytime naay session, sige gud na siyag privilege speech. Mao mana iyang trabaho, so pasagdan nalang nato na siya,” he said.

“Gusto lang gyud siya musikat. Wala jud koy gitago ana niya,” the mayor added.

Archival said the accusations have no substance.

“Para nako, ako ranang gipasagdan kay iyang gihimo walay bili… nothing… samok-samok lang. Wala gyud bisan kinsay pangutan-on. Nanikas ko? Wala ko nanikas. Wala koy kwarta nga gikuha. Nagbayad ang tawo nga legal unya ingnan pa niya ang tawo ug sindikato — I think there is something wrong,” he said.

Alcover filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Mayor Archival, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, and City Administrator Albert Tan on October 29.

He accused them of graft, grave misconduct, and gross negligence for allegedly allowing a private organization, the Participative Association of Sugbo Vendors Inc. (PASVI), to manage and profit from the Colon Street Night Market without proper authorization.

Alcover alleged that the arrangement turned a public road into a “private commercial venture,” resulting in unremitted revenues.

He estimated collections at P7.2 million from over 600 vendors, but claimed that only P200,000 was turned over to the city.

“This case is about the illegal conversion of a public street into a private business, through the abuse of official power and deliberate disregard of legal safeguards meant to protect public property and revenue,” Alcover stated in his affidavit.

The councilor also sought the preventive suspension of Archival and the two other officials, saying their continued stay in office could influence witnesses or evidence.

The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO), however, had already issued a formal opinion declaring that the Colon Night Market’s operation is “legal and valid.”

The CLO cited compliance with the City Council-approved road closure, a special business permit from the Business Permit and Licensing Office, and revenue remittances to the city, describing the market as a “structured, permitted, and duly regulated City enterprise.”

It also clarified that the GASA sa Gugma Board, which Alcover invoked, was not required to manage the market since its mandate only covers underprivileged informal traders, not organized stall vendors.

“The Mayor’s decision, having been formalized and having resulted in City revenue collection, enjoys the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties,” the CLO stated.

Archival reiterated that the Colon Night Market was meant to support local entrepreneurs and promote economic activity in Cebu’s oldest commercial district.(TGP)