Sale of RP assets in US probed

The Senate foreign relations committee will look into the reported plan of the Arroyo administration to sell valuable pieces of real estate owned by the country in the United States.

The inquiry was prompted by a resolution filed by Senate President Franklin Drilon, who said he is against the "fire sale" being planned by the administration.

"I am not in favor of selling these properties because most of these buildings actually earn income for the country or are self-sustaining. There is no need for a fire sale," he said.

He said the administration could face a constitutional question if it proceeds with the sale since the US assets are part of the national patrimony that "cannot be alienated or sold."

The properties that officials are planning to sell are the Philippine Center building on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York City; a townhouse on 66th Street, also in New York City; the old chancery building on Massachusetts Avenue, Washington D.C.; Philippine Center building in San Francisco, California; consulate residence in Glen Haven, Houston, Texas; a property in Chicago, Illinois; and a vacant lot in Seattle.

Some senators have expressed the suspicion that corrupt administration officials are pushing for the sale so they can earn fat commissions.

They noted that some valuable US properties had been sold in the past at low prices, earning huge commissions for those involved in the transactions. – Jess Diaz