Over ‘anomalous’ lot sale: Cortes, 12 others face plunder raps

CEBU, Philippines — The camp of Cebu sixth district Representative Jonas Cortes has yet to receive a complaint from two residents, claiming that the congressman and 12 other officials of Mandaue City are involved in the anomalous sale of a 3.5-hectare reclaimed land during his stint as city mayor in 2015.

"Basically, wala pa sad ko kahibaw unsay sulod sa complaint kay wala pa mi kadawat and ang nabasahan nako sa newspaper, i-file pa kuno within this week," said lawyer Joel Seno, the congressman’s assistant chief of staff.

According to a Philippine Star report yesterday, two residents – Bernard Cabatingan and Analin Maquilan – are set to file this week a taxpayer’s complaint against the respondents before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas.

The report said Cortes and the former City Council sold the property in Barangay Looc for P1,791,050 or a measly P50 per square meter when the land’s current market value is P12,000 per square meter or P429.8 million.

Seno came to the defense of Cortes.

"They're (complainants) wrong. Dili gyud na sila sakto because that is only a portion of the consideration not to mention  the   magnitude of the benefits the Mandaue may have as soon as ma-consummate ang tanan nga transaction ana. Kana nga  transaction, wala pa gyud na siya na fully consummated kay napa na siya sa tunga-tunga.  Nahunong na siya atong 2015 because of the upcoming elections of 2016,” Seno explained.

Seno said Jonas’ camp will soon shed light on the accusation.

"We will just answer that in due time," he said.

The complainants will also charge then vice mayor Glenn Bercede and former councilors Emmarie Dizon, Jose Jefferson Ceniza, Diosdado Suico, Editha Cabahug and the late Beethoven Andaya and Demetrio Cortes Jr.

Others are incumbent City Councilors Nenita Layese, Jimmy Lumapas, Elstone Dabon, Benjamin Basiga, and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Ernie Manatad.

The respondents will face criminal charges of plunder and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices law, as well as administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. (FREEMAN)