CAPITOL FACT-FINDING TEAM RECOMMENDS: Further probe on Bolo for Balili lot controversy

CEBU, Philippines - The fact-finding team tasked to look into the purchase of the Balili property in Tinaan, Naga City recommends the conduct of criminal and administrative probe on the actions of Provincial Board Member Juan Bolo.

Bolo, who is one of two board members representing the 1st District, has been at the eye of the storm in this controversy when it was found that his office had been doing the follow-ups on the payment of the transaction that totaled close to P100 million.

The fact-finding team was formed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and was headed by Director Medardo de Lemos of the National Bureau of Investigation-7.

After so much anticipation, the full report of the committee was released yesterday through Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda.

The committee also recommended that the actions of the Provincial Appraisal Committee should be investigated and the possible administrative liability of the members must be looked into.

Governor Garcia created the committee following the accusations that there were irregularities in the purchase of the provincial government of the lot owned by the Balili family.

It was learned, that sometime in 2006, PB member Bolo received a call from one Lumen Durano, a real estate broker, about the availability in the market of the properties constituting the closed Balili Beach Resort.

PB member Bolo relayed the information to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who aside from saying that she once visited the place and went swimming there, showed no interest.

In June 2007, Lumen Durano, again called up PB member Bolo about the Balili property.

The committee was able to establish that from the start, Bolo had an active and direct participation in the deal.   (FREEMAN NEWS)