FLI: No relations with Osmeña

Dear Editor,

 It has been brought to our attention that columns and articles purporting to be news have come out in the press insinuating that Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) has a relationship with Senator Sergio Osmeña III and his brother, Tomas Osmeña, former Representative of the 2nd District of Cebu, as regards FLI's Joint Venture projects in Cebu.

FLI has several Joint Venture agreements with Cebu City and Province of Cebu, and has dealt with different Cebu government officials coming from different parties and affiliations for these transactions.

It has not dealt with Senator Sergio Osmeña III for any of these projects or for any other Joint Venture Agreements in Cebu.

In the Joint Venture for the South Road Properties, the agreement with FLI was signed by Hon. Michael L. Rama in his capacity as then Acting Mayor of Cebu City on February 3, 2009, in the absence of then Mayor Tomas Osmeña. From 2010 up to now or majority of the joint venture term, FLI has been dealing with the Honorable Mayor Rama regarding the SRP properties.

With respect to the joint venture with the Cebu Province involving the IT park along Salinas Drive, the agreement with FLI was signed by Hon. Gwendolyn F. Garcia in her capacity as then Governor of Cebu Province on March 26, 2012. Governor Garcia is currently serving as the Representative of the 3rd District of Cebu. FLI has been dealing with Governor Hilario Davide III since his election.

As one of the major investors in Cebu City and Cebu province FLI will continue to expand its investments in Cebu in order to contribute to its progress, transform its landscape and provide employment to its citizens.

We hope you can advise your reporters, writers and columnists to verify the facts first before publishing such articles relating to FLI's Joint Venture with the City and Province of Cebu.

Thank you very much.

TRISTAN L. LAS MARIAS

First Vice President and Cluster Head

Visayas and Mindanao