Isko Moreno orders charges vs. contractor over illegal demolition of Manila community center
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has ordered the filing of criminal charges against the general manager of Jelsie Construction and Supply for the “illegal” demolition of the Rizal Avenue Sports Athletics Complex (RASAC) covered court in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Charges will be filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office against Jelsie Construction and Supply, Inc., represented by its general manager Jesse R. Mahusay, for the following violations:
1. Special Cases of Malicious Mischief under Article 328 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, to be filed by the City General Services Office (CGSO)
2. Unlawful demolition and construction without necessary permit in violation of the National Building Code of the Philippines, to be filed by the DEPW
3. Unauthorized taking of Government Facility in violation of the Republic Act No. 10344 or the “Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act,” to be filed by the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO)
Further checks with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) North Manila District Engineering Office revealed that the project was a ₱145.5-million “Multi-Purpose Building, Sentro Komunidad de Santa Cruz, Manila (Phase 1),” awarded to Jelsie Construction through a Notice of Award dated May 22, 2025.
A contract agreement was signed a day later, May 23, followed by a notice to proceed on May 26.
Citing data from the City Accountant’s office, Domagoso said the demolished property had a net book value of ₱10.4 million as of 2025.
Records also showed that Jelsie Construction and Supply, Inc. has cornered more than ₱1.43 billion worth of flood control projects in the City of Manila, according to data from the government’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website.
The contractor also has projects in all six districts of Manila, ranking as the city’s second-largest flood control contractor.
No coordination with City Hall
Domagoso said the demolition and ongoing construction of a new multi-purpose building at the RASAC site were never submitted to the City Government of Manila for the necessary permits or clearances.
The RASAC complex was built in 1910 and later redeveloped into an all-weather covered court in 1995 under then Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.
Over the years, it served as a sports and community hub and housed several public facilities, including a City Hall satellite office, a police outpost, a Public Recreations Bureau field office, a daycare center, and a performance stage.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it functioned as an isolation facility and, in recent years, as an evacuation center during typhoons and fires.
Complaints from Manila residents
The Mayor recounted that he was alerted to the demolition by residents during his district rounds on August 21. When he arrived at the site, the covered court and adjoining facilities had already been torn down.
He said that certifications submitted by concerned City Hall offices confirmed there were no records of demolition, building, zoning, or tax payment permits in Jelsie Construction’s name.
No authority to destroy the facility
The Mayor also stressed that Jelsie Construction had no authority from the City Government to destroy or replace the facility.
“I am instituting this criminal complaint as the local chief executive of the country’s capital city,” Domagoso said.
“This is not only about protecting property but protecting the welfare of our citizens. We cannot allow private contractors to demolish and build at will without the authority of the city, especially on facilities critical to disaster preparedness and public service,” the Mayor said.
According to the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Local Government and Regional Operations Group, the DPWH project was still marked as “FLR” or “For Later Release” as of August 22.
This means the project was not yet approved as it was still subject for approval by the Office of the President, according to the DBM.
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