3 Nobyembre,2024 Linggo
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas
Probe on apartment tomb rental scheme
By Nidz Godino
“Timing is so bad, just when it should be time to visit and pray for our departed loved ones… local government unit should have come up with program for those who cannot afford permanent burial,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III wants to investigate alleged scheme of renting out apartment-style tombs in public cemeteries across the country, following unauthorized exhumation of 800 bodies in Marikina just as country commemorated All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Pimentel said Senate local government committee should investigate alleged practice of emptying tombs with expired leases and transferring remains without families’ consent.
He also wants to know if rental scheme is being done in other cemeteries nationwide, saying that it “is not good setup to be hostaged by bones and remains of departed loved ones.”
He made call after 800 sacks of bodies were found dumped at open area in Barangka public cemetery after their five-year “rental period” expired.
Marikina city council should also investigate incident at same cemetery where syndicate is allegedly behind scheme of emptying tombs with expired leases to rent them out at exorbitant prices.
“Whoever thought of this is assured of cash flow because families are bound to pay rent forever… should be investigated in public hearing so that we would understand situation on the ground,” Pimentel said.
He stressed city government under Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro cannot wash its hands of controversy.
He cited Local Government Code that city or municipal government is responsible for public cemeteries.
He also cited Marikina City Ordinance 020-2010, states exhumation of bodies should have consent of families and permission of health office.
“It is clear that city government allowed this to happen…we should hold them accountable and ensure that this neglect won’t happen again,” Pimentel also said.
“It is saddening that some families won’t be able to offer candles at gravesites of their loved ones…let us pray for dead and for enlightenment of our leaders,” he added.
Charges for violating city’s Sanitation Code have already been filed against cemetery administrator and five others, according to Teodoro.
ISKUP! 