Mayor hits back at Capitol for calling his papers bogus

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday hit back at the provincial government for calling as “a mere scrap of paper” the evidence the city has obtained which reportedly proves that the national government, and not the province, owns the lot formerly occupied by the Department of Agriculture.

“It is their title that is the mere scrap of paper. It doesn’t even say there where the title came from. It is just a plaque,” Osmeña said, adding, that it is a risk for investors to use a lot whose ownership is allegedly questionable.

“So whatever it is, I’m warning all investors. You put your money there, put your buildings there, you’ll end up losing everything,” the Mayor added.

The lot in question is located along M. Velez Street.

Osmeña also said in jest that if he will be given a seat in Congress, he will push for a congressional inquiry to ascertain the legality of the property.

Last week, Osmeña showed the media a copy of a title issued on February 8, 1910 in Manila by the Court of Land Registration. The title provides that the land is “registered in accordance to the provisions of the Land Registration Act in the name of the said el Govierno de las Islas Filipinas.”

He said that the title strongly proves that the real owner is the national government and is possible that during the war, many records were burned and lost, which the capitol used as grounds to have the title reconstituted to make them as the owner.

The Capitol has asked the DA to vacate the area, affecting the whole agriculture regional office and about 80 families living nearby.

City Hall lawyers are now contemplating on possible legal actions against the province.

Meanwhile, Tomas reiterated that if he will win as representative of the city’s south district, he will push for the creation of a third district in the city, which will comprise the Municipality of Cordova and the city’s coastal barangays. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)