Lawyering for Ever Gotesco Grand Central mall, Magdalo counsels Argee Guevarra and Trixie Cruz Angeles insist that takeover will be improper for Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echiverri in view of a prior injunctive relief issued by a Manila regional trial court.

Meeting the press yesterday inside the shopping center, the lawyers said the Go family still owned the mall which opened in the morning but closed after text messages spread among occupants that city hall staff were outside ready to move into the premises.

Echiverri chided the Gotesco lawyers for misinforming the tenants and stall holders at his expense.

He said the occupants would only be asked to enter a new contract with city hall.

Showing an agreement between Go and Echiverri, the lawyers said their client acquired the property only in September 2008 for P182 million.

They said the Go family paid P30 million as downpayment with the balance to be settled in 36 equal monthly installments covered by post-dated checks payable to the city treasurer. Arlie Calalo