Balili lot issue: Davide: There was an attempt to cover up

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the provincial board are scheduled to release on Monday the results of their investigation into the controversial Balili land deal, but gubernatorial aspirant Hilario “Jun-Jun” Davide III believes that there was an attempt to cover up.

Davide said that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also could not escape from the suspicions that she is involved in the alleged anomalous transaction, because she is the local chief executive.

“I suppose there is,” Davide said when asked if he personally believes that Garcia’s administration tried to cover up the questionable purchase of the almost 25 hectares Balili property in Naga City which was found to be 80 percent underwater and planted with mangroves.

Davide was the first candidate to be invited to the round table discussion organized by The FREEMAN to assist the voters in choosing the right candidate for the governor and mayors of the four key cities, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

Among the questions asked during the no-holds-barred discussion was, “If he believes that Garcia is involved in graft and corruption vis-a-vis the Balili controversy and the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center?”

Although he did not give a categorical answer to the question, Davide said “the suspicion is there” because she is the governor.

“Dili gyud mawala ang paduda,” Davide added.

According to Davide, Garcia’s apology for the Balili controversy is not enough especially that she is insisting to retain the property despite the results of the survey jointly conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showing that only four hectares of the 24.7 hectares is dry land.

The P98.7 million paid by the province should be recovered by rescinding the contract. He promised that, if elected governor, this will be among his priorities.

Davide said he will review all the contracts entered into by the provincial government and file the necessary charges should he find any irregularity.

He promised to resuscitate the land swapping agreement with the city government and hold the efforts of recovering the provincial lots situated in the city that has displaced other government agencies and residents occupying it.

Davide said he will also stop the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo as a way of promoting tourism saying it is just a waste of money.

He said promoting tourism should be based on the needs of every municipality.

“Let the towns propose unsay angayan nila,” Davide said.

 Davide’s full-interview will be published within the week. Garcia on the other hand is scheduled to take the “hot seat” on Wednesday evening.

PB Report

The draft of the investigation report on the controversial Balili lot transaction will be released next week during the regular session of the Provincial Board.

PB Member Joven Mondigo Jr. made the assurance to reporters when asked after the regular session of the board yesterday afternoon.

Mondigo admitted that only PB Member Juan Bolo submitted his reports to his committee as agreed by the members of the board.

According to Mondigo, it was agreed by the members of the board that each of them will submit their own report and recommendation.

Mondigo said he was tasked to incorporate their comments and recommendations to his own reports.

“Karong umaabot nga Lunes ako gayud nga ipagawas ang akong draft sa report,” said Mondigo.

Mondigo reiterated that it’s not the intention of his committee to delay the release of the committee report.

He said that he is waiting the submission of other members of their observation and recommendations, as agreed.The committee of Mondigo and PB Member Alfred Francis Ouano has been tasked to lead the investigation.

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas which is also conducting a fact-finding investigation into the alleged anomalous transaction has already been asking the result of the PB investigation.

Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said they need a copy of the PB investigation result for comparison.

Like the PB and the review committee created by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to look into the controversy, the anti-graft body has not also come up with its own findings. — Fred P. Languido with Jose P. Sollano/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)