OSG to go after foreigners who own real properties

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) vows to take legal action against foreign nationals who illegally acquired large swaths of land in the Philippines.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra issued the remark after the House of Representatives quad committee turned over to the OSG pieces of documentary evidence to be used for building up cases against Chinese nationals who were able to acquire real estate properties in the country.

“Once we have gathered sufficient evidence, we’ll commence the appropriate legal actions which may include civil forfeiture, reversion, escheat, cancellation of birth certificates, deportation, and criminal/administrative complaints,” he told reporters.

Guevarra said the OSG is currently reviewing the documents turned over by the quad committee and it will engage with other agencies for further evidence gathering and case build-up.

Lawmakers from the quad committee are hoping that the OSG will file forfeiture cases against the foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, who are involved in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Even prior to the creation of the quad committee, the House dangerous drugs committee chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers had discovered some 500 titled prime lots acquired by these Chinese nationals in Central Luzon and even Metro Manila.

Barbers estimated the quantity of lands acquired by foreigners to be "in the thousands of hectares."

The quad comm is currently investigating the influx of Chinese working in illegal POGOs as well as their involvement in drug smuggling, faking of Filipino citizenship, money laundering, fraud, kidnap-for-ransom and other criminal activities.

The House officials warned that failure of the OSG to address these violations “could have dire consequences for national security and the economy.” — (FREEMAN)