Controversial Balili lot: 'New evidence' to reopen probe

CEBU, Philippines - Due to “new evidence,” Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong will propose in today’s session that their inquiry into the Balili lot purchase controversy be reopened.

Maambong, who represents the 6th District, said that there is new evidence that he believes would merit the reopening of the case.

This is the admission of beleaguered PB Member Juan Bolo of the 1st District that P50,000 was paid to the Provincial Treasurer as tax for the purchase.

Maambong said that Bolo allegedly admitted giving the amount to Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre representing taxes for the purchase of the property that was close to 25 hectares for P98 million.

He will file a resolution today calling for the reopening of their investigation, which they closed last month.

“I am not sure if it’s going to be reopened though, but I have five votes already,” said Maambong.

He will have to convince his colleagues that this new evidence would really merit the reopening of the investigation.

Maambong said he believes that the investigation which they closed last month “should be re-opened,” to find out whether or not there’s truth to the allegation that Bolo, who reportedly admitted in an interview with the media, paid P50,000 in taxes to Salubre.

 Bolo who was then chairman of the committee on municipal and provincial properties had earlier admitted he facilitated the controversial land deal.

 Maambong said that the committee, which is headed by PB Member Joven Mondigo Jr., should look into this new development as the P98.7 million purchase of the Balili property in barangay Tinaan, Naga City, is supposed to be tax free.

 Salubre had earlier denied that he had received the amount, saying that there maybe other person in his office, who received it.

 Meanwhile, Maambong said that if and when the investigation, which is done in aid of legislation, would be revived, they will give another “maybe two to three sessions” to wrap it up.

 And that before the month ends, since they already have a draft of the result, they shall have wrapped it up by then, he said.

The purchase of the property became controversial when it was learned that several portions of the property were underwater or planted with mangroves.

In fact, a survey by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that only 4.5 hectares can be titled. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)