Report on Balili irks Garcia

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday blew her top following newspaper report supposedly quoting a Capitol survey of the controversial Balili beachfront property saying that 82 percent of the land bought by the provincial government is classified as timberland and only eight of the 10 parcels have titles.

Garcia said there was no truth to it and described the report as a “serious and hair-raising accusation” because it implies that the Capitol bought properties without titles.

The Governor distributed a copy of the affidavit of Engr. Roy Cabunilas, zoning officer of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, which the report mentioned as its basis.

According to the report, about 94,526 square meters or 82 percent (20.2 hectares) of the 24.7 hectares Balili property is classified as timberland or public land.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda said that granting that the affidavit mentioned 94,526 square meters, the report is still inaccurate because it is only equivalent to 9.452 hectares.

He added that 9.452 hectares is not 82 percent of 24.7 hectares but merely one-third of it.

“Nowhere in the affidavit mentioned that these 9.4 hectares (94,526 sq.m) is classified as timberland,” Sepulveda said.

Contrary to what was reported, Cabunilas in his affidavit said that there are ten lots covered only by eight titles since two titles covered two parcels of land each.

Cabunilas did not mention about timberland in his report but said there is a portion of the property consisting about 80,124 square meters that is submerged in seawater and 14,402 square meters mangrove area.

Cabunilas executed his affidavit as he is set to testify today on the civil case that the Capitol filed against the Balili Estate to ask for a P37 million refund.

Garcia, through the Provincial Legal Office, filed before the Cebu City Regional Trial Court a civil case for specific performance and reduction/refund of the purchase of parcels of land.

The Provincial Legal Office asked the court to order lawyer Romeo Balili, executor of the Balili Estate, to reimburse the Capitol a total of P37,810,400, covering the two properties, totaling 94,526 sq. m., and for the interest from the time of the payment until it was fully paid.

The Capitol earlier paid P99 million to the Balili Estate for the purchase of the controversial property.   (FREEMAN NEWS)