CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover has accused Mayor Nestor Archival of selective justice, saying City Hall has been heavy handed with small vendors at Plaza Sugbo while sparing a big establishment despite demolition orders.
Ngano man nga kana ng (fast-food chain outlet), wa pa man gihapon na ninyo dakpa, gub-a? Naa naman order ana sa OBO, naa nay order sa legal. But until now, wa gyud na ma-implement. Bati kayo tan-awon sa publiko nga ang atong mga lider walay baruganan, Alcover declared.
The fast-food chain outlet near the Basilica del Sto. Niño has been under demolition orders from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and the city’s Legal Office, according to the councilor.
Alcover cited that Archival had previously stated that enforcement required coordination with heritage authorities, but the councilor sees the delay (in enforcement) as proof of a double standard.
The fast-food chain outlet near the Basilica del Sto. Niño has been under demolition orders from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and the city’s Legal Office, according to the councilor.
Alcover cited that Archival had previously stated that enforcement required coordination with heritage authorities, but the councilor sees the delay (in enforcement) as proof of a double standard.
Before releasing his January 3 statement, Archival defended the December 16 clearing (at the plaza) in an interview with Brigada News FM Cebu. He explained that tourist guides had complained of congestion and disorder at Plaza Sugbo, a heritage zone between the Basilica del Sto. Ni o and the City Hall.
Kani ng area sa ato ng plaza mao gyud ni short stop sa mga turista nakita gyud na sa mga tawo nato nga samok gyud kayo ang lugar. Kinahanglan we have to put order, declared the mayor.
Archival records indicate that operatives confiscated goods from a bottled water vendor who resisted, resulting in restraint and detention at the police station.
“Kaning usa ka manindahay, noted na diay kaayo ni siya nga medyo may pagkaburokinto ba…imong badlungon, musukol…so ilang gi restraint unya gida’ na nila didto sa police station kay naa may balaod na pwede siya mapriso…Gida’ siya didto, nakatug siya didto, unya na’y undertaking na di’ na siya mangita og gubot,” Archival said, citing the report relayed to him by operatives.
Archival admitted the video was “nabatí man hinuon” (perceived negatively), but he insisted the intention was to preserve order. In his January 3 statement, he stressed:
“Dili gyud nato tugotan ang bisan unsa’ng porma sa abuso o excessive force sa pag enforce sa ato’ng ordinances. All enforcement actions must be lawful, humane, ug may respeto sa tanang katawhan.”
Archival also said that the involved personnel would be placed on floating status pending investigation. On this matter, Alcover countered that Archival had broken promises.
In an interview with The Freeman, he recalled personally bringing Plaza Sugbo vendors to the mayor s office in August 2025, where Archival assured them they would not be disturbed if they maintain discipline and cleanliness.
“Gimahayaan nako niya…ingon siya basta mag tinarong lang, naa’y disiplina. Ingon ko, unipormihan sila, duly identified sila para hinlo tan awon. Mao na’y among sabot. Pero pagkahapon, gidakop naman sad ani’ng ginganlag Rune (Maquiling, PROBE in charge). Ingon siya kinahanglan gyud ug written order sa mayor. Maong wa na ko ganahi, binuang naman ni,” said the councilor.
Alcover lamented the repeated arrests since then, including one in November when a vendor was allegedly slapped, and the December 16 incident that went viral.
“Unya sige ra gihapo’g panakop…Mao’ng naka-ingon ko’g gestapo ni’ng mga tawhana, sobra na kasalbahis ba. Disgruntled gyud ko sa mayor, dismaya gyud ko sa iya’ng gihimo. Mao nga ako gyud ng file-lan og kaso para mutagam na sila,” said the councilor.
Alcover vowed to deliver a privilege speech to summon PROBE officials and possibly the city administrator, representing the mayor.
“Pwede sad ang Commission on Human Rights para maka express sila unsa’y mga violations nga ila’ng nahimo. If posibleng file-lan og kaso, file-lan og kaso kay para maundang ‘ni,” Alcover said.
Alcover further blamed the city’s failure to convene the GASA Board, the body tasked with regulating vendors. He argued that proper organization and policy setting could have prevented the controversy, saying the absence of the Board left enforcement unchecked and prone to abuse.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol
