MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government on Friday decided to padlock the two local government-owned buildings which were being occupied by the Rotary International District 3780 even after its lease agreement expired in 2020. The city government said in a statement emailed to The Manila Times that upon monitoring and inspection, it was discovered that the property on Roces Avenue, Barangay Paligsahan, continued to be occupied by the private organization and “worse, it is also being occupied by the Rotary Center Foundation Inc. (RCFI).” Aside from the fact that it has never entered into any agreement with RCFI, the local government said RCFI allowed other private commercial establishments to occupy the structures through illegal rentals. As a result, the city government padlocked the buildings, insisting that private entities are not allowed to unlawfully profit from any property or building that is publicly owned. Meanwhile, the city council denounced the alleged public misrepresentations by RCFI and “its unconscionable attempt to use a city council resolution to falsely claim that the Council has directed the Honorable Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte to enter into a lease agreement with RCFI.” “In a statement made by RCFI, they claim that the honorable mayor refused to renew the lease agreement, contrary to the council’s directive.” This is patently false,” Vice Mayor Gian Sotto said. Sotto said the subject resolution merely authorized the mayor to enter into the proposed agreement should she opt to do so, subject to her proper determination. “Our position is clear. We stand with the honorable mayor in ensuring that public property cannot be used for unlawful purposes. It cannot benefit only the privileged few who seek to profit therefrom. Public property belongs to the people of Quezon City,” the council’s presiding officer said.