OVER NIGHT MARKET: Archival answers graft raps before Ombuds

The camp of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has formally denied the complaint lodged against him and two other appointed City Hall officials, stemming from criminal and administrative charges filed by Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. over controversies surrounding the operation of the 2025 Colon Night Market.

- Caecent No-ot Magsumbol with Preciosa Bacalso/IHM

Archival, together with City Treasurer Officer-in-Charge Emma Villarete and City Administrator Albert Tan, submitted a joint counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The complaint, filed in late October last year, arose from months of heated debate over governance, public-private partnerships, and regulatory oversight in the city’s commercial activities.

Alcover accused the three officials of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for allegedly causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits to a private entity.

He also cited violations of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), along with administrative charges of grave misconduct, gross negligence, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The councilor argued that the night market, which operated from November 2025 to early January 2026 along Colon Street—Cebu City’s historic commercial thoroughfare—was allowed to operate without proper oversight.

He specifically highlighted the alleged failure to engage the Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa (GASA) Board, which was established under City Ordinance 2386 in 2022 to regulate street vending, ensure sanitation standards, and manage public space usage.

Alcover estimated that the city may have lost over P6.8 million in potential monthly revenue, based on his calculation that approximately 600 vendors participated in the market, each paying an estimated P6,000 in fees to the organizer.

He also claimed that the road closure—approved from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily—disrupted traffic flow, affected nearby businesses not part of the market, and posed public safety risks due to inadequate crowd control measures.

In media statements following the filing of his complaint, Alcover emphasized that his actions were not personal but rooted in his duty to protect public interests.