BAGUIO CITY — Market vendors have filed a motion before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 72 of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, seeking to cite Narvacan Municipal Mayor Pablito Sanidad Sr. for allegedly misinterpreting a court directive.

The petitioners, stall owners and vendors at the old Narvacan Public Market, had previously filed a petition for a writ of Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order with the RTC Narvacan to halt the ongoing demolition of the market.

However, the court denied their petition on 24 February 2025.

Two days after the court’s order, Sanidad issued a final demand and notice of demolition, dated 28 February 2025, which was served to the vendors on 1 March 2025.

He demanded that the vendors immediately vacate their stalls and areas, stating that failure to comply would result in “immediate closure and demolition of the market complex” by the mayor and the local government unit, including the vendors’ stalls.

Through their legal counsel, Atty. Estelita Cordero, the vendors stated that Sanidad cited the court’s order and the reasons for the petition’s denial as the basis for his demand letter and argued that the court’s order did not include any directive for the immediate eviction or demolition of the stalls, booths, rooms and spaces occupied by the petitioners.

“That the inadvertent, arbitrary, and capricious demand set out by herein municipal mayor shows how deaf he is to the pleas of the people, and has wielded his authority in a manner that results in an arbitrary abuse of power, showing cruelty and indifference to the concerns of the old market vendors who have been contributing to the welfare of the municipality,” the petitioners said.

The petitioners added that the period to file a motion for reconsideration, appeal, or other legal remedy had not yet expired.

“In fact, there is still a pending Urgent Motion and Motion to Admit Additional Annex filed by herein Petitioners before this court regarding the demolition proceedings that occurred on 25 February 2025, at the said public market,” said the petitioners.

“Herein Respondents were given three days to comment on said motion, and no comment has been filed to date. Therefore, the Petitioners still have an opportunity to assert their rights and challenge the acts of the local government of Narvacan and the abuse of power exhibited by the municipal mayor,” they added.