A brewing conflict between Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and 3rd District Congressman Joel Chua has led to the suspension of a multi-purpose community center project in the city.
According to Mayor Moreno, the construction was ordered halted due to the lack of a valid permit. However, Congressman Chua argues that the project is legitimate, necessary for his constituents, and that the permit issue should not fall under his responsibility.
Mayor Isko orders site locked down
Mayor Isko stated that he discovered the construction on a site owned by the City of Manila, a location previously housing a basketball court and local government offices, including a daycare center and senior citizens’ office. He claimed the demolition and construction began without city clearance.
“Kasi magpapatayo kami ng library tapos nakita ko biglang giniba yung basketball court doon na pag-aari ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” said Mayor Isko.
“Tinanong ko yung taong bayan, yung chairman ang sabi project daw ni Congressman Joel Chua. Paano nangyaring nagiba nila yung property ng City of Manila?”
The mayor also challenged Chua directly, stating: “Ngayon, I challenge Congressman Joel Chua to investigate himself.”
Congressman Chua: “It’s not my job to secure the permit”
In an interview on Dos Por Dos with Anthony Taberna and Jerry Baja, Congressman Chua explained the background of the project, originally proposed back in 2020 under the previous congressman but delayed due to the pandemic. Now repurposed as a multi-functional facility, the center aims to address key social needs in the district.
“Kasi po ito ay unang naging project po ito ni dating congressman … noong 2020… ngayon po, ito ay ni-repurpose na maging community center kung saan merong halfway house, shower, toilet, kitchen, dialysis or diagnostic center, daycare, police station, senior citizen center, at recreational area,” said Chua.
He emphasized that he is not responsible for securing the construction permit: “Hindi naman po ang congressman dahil kami po ang trabaho lamang po namin ay magbaba ng pondo… yung pag-aapply ng permit, requirement po ito ng implementing agency at tsaka po ng winning contractor.”
Chua added that he doesn’t even know who the contractor is, as that is handled by agencies like the DPWH. His office's role, he said, is to push for funding and request project implementation from the appropriate national agencies.
Political Undercurrents?
Both Taberna and Baja pointed out that the issue may not simply be about permits, but potentially a political rift. When asked, Chua did not confirm nor deny the possibility:
“Sa akin po kasi sa totoo lang tapos na yung eleksyon, dapat naka-move-on na kami eh. Hindi na po kasi ito tungkol kay Mayor o sa akin eh. Tungkol na ito sa taong bayan.”
“Kung kami po magtutulungan, mas marami kaming magagawa. Willing naman tayo na makipagtulungan sa pamahalaang lokal, kaya lang siyempre kung hindi naman din sila open, wala na rin ako magagawa,” Chua added.
The 3rd district Congressman further stressed that the halted project was meant to provide real, tangible services, not just “ghost projects” that is currently being probed in the senate.
“Ang isyu ngayon sa gobyerno ay yung mga ghost projects pero hindi naman ito ghost eh, matinong proyekto to. Makabuluhan na proyekto.”
He also emphasized that the initial budget allocated was around ₱300 (it was unclear if the number was hundred thousands or millions in amount), though only about half has been released for the first phase of construction.
According to Chua, he has already coordinated with the district engineer from DPWH, urging them to comply with any city hall requirements to move the project forward. But he also made it clear that collaborative governance is crucial for the success of initiatives like this.
“Pero sana naman yung ganitong mga makabuluhan na proyekto dapat dyan nagtutulungan eh ang national at local, lalo pa kung ito naman ay makikinabang ang mga nakapaligid dito.”
Chua reiterated his openness to dialogue, hoping the city government would be willing to sit down and discuss the matter constructively.
“Willing ako makipagdayalogo kung ako ay bibigyan ng pagkakataon.”
