THE Manila fire marshal is in hot water for allowing the use of residential and commercial buildings that have been condemned as fire hazards.

This development came with the discovery that the Spanish-period houses deemed for demolition by the Manila city hall remain in use either for commercial or residential purposes.

The Chinese Filipino businessman Eric Cochingyan, who lost two sons in a fire tragedy two years ago in Binondo, said the continued use of these old and condemned houses was a solid proof that corruption exists in the Manila fire department.

Portions of the two-story houses that were built in the pre-Spanish era have been converted into sari-sari stores, barbershops, eateries and merchandising shops despite the risks to the occupants.

Sources said that some owners of these houses pay grease money to fire safety inspectors to obtain clearance.

Cochingyan accused Supt. Pablito Cordeta, Manila fire marshal, and his men of “selling” these fire safety certificates to owners of establishments that lack the required fire exits, water sprinklers and fireproof enclosures.

Cordeta is the one who signs and issues fire safety inspection certificates to building establishments that had passed the inspection based on the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Cochingyan alleged that influential local government officials are protecting Cordeta and two of his subordinates who remain in office despite the relief order issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In a letter sent to the Office of the Mayor, Cochingyan urged Atienza to respect the relief order after the DILG and the Bureau of Fire Protection-Internal Affairs Service found prima facie case against Cordeta, his subordinates Chief Insp. Wilfredo Balinas and Senior Fire Officer 4 Dante Lazarte.

Cochingyan said the BFP and the DILG have recommended the suspension of the three BFP officials while the charges filed against them are being heard.

Cochingyan has also asked Mayor Atienza to replace Cordeta while his graft case is being heard before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“How come these houses are given safety inspection clearances when obviously they are dilapidated and look like they can go down anytime,” he said to prove the corruption issue against Cordeta.

Records at the Manila Building Permit and Licensing Office show that most of the condemned houses are in Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Malate, Tondo, and Sta. Cruz.

“Ito yung mga bahay na noon pang panahon ay nandyan na. Yung iba two stories na yung ibabang bahagi ay na-convert na for commercial use [These are the houses that had been there for long ago. The ground floor of the two-story houses had already been converted for commercial use],” a source said in an interview.

Cordeta and the two officers were charged with gross neglect of duty for failure to enforce the fire safety provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines that led to the death of Cochingyan’s sons Fortune, 9, and Christian Joseph, 5, who were trapped inside the burning Li Seng Giap Building on Barraca Street, Binondo, Manila, on December 24, 2002.

Cochingyan said the building failed to comply with the provisions of the Fire Code but Cordeta and his men issued a fire-safety certificate three times from 2001 to 2003.