Cojuangco wants Samar land back

TACLOBAN CITY - Business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco is reportedly keen on recovering a huge parcel of land in Sta. Margarita, Samar which the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and Bureau of Internal Revenue "froze" due to questions over its ownership and non-payment of taxes.

Salvador de la Paz, PCGG assistant regional representative, said Cojuangco has earmarked P20 million for the rehabilitation of the area, mainly devoted to fishponds.

"The feasibility study is now being made," he said, adding that Cojuangco has sent his men to inspect the property.

De la Paz said they became aware of Cojuangco's plans when one of his aides met with the administrator of the property, former Sta. Margarita Mayor Ely Gan.

He said the fishponds have been unused since 1986 when the PCGG sequestered it on suspicion it was owned by the Marcoses.

The PCGG has sequestered 10 other suspected Marcos properties, including a 42-hectare estate in Tolosa town, the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum, the People's Center and Library, the so-called "Green House," two radio stations, a television station and a large parcel of land along Trece Martires street here.