Gwen deviates from PB authority on Balili deal?

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has allegedly deviated from the authority given to her by the Provincial Board in the purchase of the Balili property in Naga City.

This was the point clarified by Grecilda Zaballero, daughter of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, when she questioned why the memorandum of agreement was not ratified by PB.

“Wa man ka ingna pagpalit og yuta nga anaa sa ilawom sa dagat, ang resolusyon nga ingon nga pagpalit og yuta, wa niingon nga ilawom sa dagat,” Zaballero told The Freeman.

Zaballero reacted to the statement of Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda claimed that there was no ratification because the province does what is legal and what is regular under the law.

The Province of Cebu bought the 247,330-square meter Balili property in Naga City for P98.9 million. However, it was found out that 80,194 square meters of the titled property is submerged while 14,402 square meters is planted with mangroves.

Zaballero said that Garcia should have informed the PB members about the findings so that the agreement can be ratified.

She also cited the earlier statement of Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III who said that memoranda of agreement or contracts signed by the mayor do not have to go back to the council for ratification, unless certain provisions have been amended after the council has authorized the mayor to sign the contract.

Zaballero also cited the petition filed in court by the Province to recover the amount representing the submerged portion as another indication of irregularity in the purchase of the property.

“Nangayo gyud ko anang ratification because to me as layman there was a deviation in that authority given. It never stated in the resolution na pagpalit og yuta ilawom sa dagat, wala man, abi man nila tanan og yuta,” Zaballero said

Sepulveda earlier said that raising an issue over the non-ratification of an agreement that was authorized by the PB only shows one’s “cluelessness” of the law.

In a text message yesterday, Sepulveda maintained, “She is clueless…The authority was to purchase several parcels covered by Torrens Title – that the Governor did. Nothing more. Nothing less.” – (FREEMAN)