Council to tackle land swapping deal

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council is set to hold an executive session before the end of the month to settle the land swapping issue between the city government and the Felix Gochan & Sons Realty Corporation.

This, after the Commission on Audit approved the Deed of Exchange for the switching of the city-owned Lot 917 in Barangay Lahug with that of the Gochan’s properties in Barangays Lorega and Guadalupe.

Representatives from the said corporation, Office of the Mayor and City Legal Office are expected to explain the matter during the executive session on September 30. In 2009, COA Central Office technical committee denied the land swapping but June this year, the commission approved it after the president of the corporation, Louise Gochan, filed a motion for reconsideration.

However, before its approval, the city government had already sold part of Lot 917 to Hotel of Asia which had paid almost P42 million down payment.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the approval of COA will only affect the selling of the lot to Hotel of Asia if the city government will not “fight” for it.

“Maka-affect lang na kon di nato i-fight. But if we will fight, then justice will be there to serve the interest of who are reasonable, fair in terms of dealings,” Rama said.

Earlier, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino has asked the court to discontinue the selling of the lot to Hotel of Asia. According to Waterfront, they must be prioritized to buy the lot because the property is beside its property. Furthermore, Rama said the city lawyers are still studying on what to do with this matter.

“It was just unfortunate for COA after so long (time they decided to approve it). You know that is something to be looked into. I’m surprise but it is now being handled by the City Attorney’s Office,” he said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairperson of the committee on laws, said the city government might end up returning the payment to the hotel. — (FREEMAN)