Provincial Board may reopen probe into Balili fiasco

Beijing, China — the Provincial Board may reopen its investigation into the controversial purchase of the Balili property in Naga City, especially that new issues substantial to the case have surfaced.

But Board Member Joven Mondigo, Jr., chairman of the ad hoc committee that probed the controversy, said the investigation can be reopened “until and unless” a member of the board will initiate the reopening and if majority of the Board Members will approve of it.

Board Members Wilfredo Caminero, Agnes Magpale, Victor Maambong, and Peter John Calderon have expressed intention to reopen the investigation. The Board Members are currently in Beijing with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Maambong himself said he is willing to sponsor a resolution to reopen the probe, saying the Board needs to know why fellow Board Member Juan Bolo paid Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre P50,000 in taxes for the lot when the land deal was tax free.

Bolo was placed on the spotlight when he allegedly admitted having made the payment to Salubre and for allegedly brokering the P98-million deal. The deal was, however, found to be illegal because a big portion of the Balili property is actually a public domain.

Salubre had denied receiving the amount, but the Board said it may summon Salubre in one of its sessions to shed light on the issue.  

Mondigo said the ball is now with his fellow Board Members, but emphasized that they have already gathered the necessary documents on the issue, which made them decide to close the investigation. He said the committee will start drafting its report on the issue upon his return to Cebu. — Liv G. Campo/JMO