Palace turns over Arlegui to original owners

MANILA, Philippines - On his first full day in office, President Aquino turned over the 1,400-square meter Arlegui mansion to its original owners, following a Supreme Court ruling in 2008 that it was unlawfully taken over in 1975 by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who represents the Laperal family, said the official turnover of the premises took place yesterday afternoon, where they discovered that it was already empty as there were no longer pieces of furniture, desks or tables.

“It was already empty. But it’s okay. The turnover will still be subject to the joint inventory of the assets management office of Malacañang,” she said in a phone interview. “What was left were 10 air conditioners.”

As agreed upon, Kapunan said private security guards will now be securing the place, instead of the presidential guards (Presidential Security Group) who have taken over the mansion in 1975, against the will of the Laperal family.

She said the government still owes them a total of P73 million, which she said will be paid “soon.” The government has so far paid only P10 million of its obligation, according to Kapunan.

President Aquino has declared that he had no intention to live in Arlegui, which is now up either for sale or for rent.

While the Bahay Pangarap inside Malacañang is still undergoing renovation, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President will be temporarily staying at the family home in Quezon City.

“Right now, he will be temporarily staying at Times Street because Bahay Pangarap is still under renovation. Apparently, the place is small and has only one bedroom. So it must be also that a staff should also live with him there,” he told newsmen.

“Hopefully, sooner we’ll be more assured of his safety,” Lacierda added, noting that security issue is not just the concern of the PSG and the official family, but “every Filipino” as well.

Lacierda also disclosed that Aquino intends to hold a monthly Cabinet meeting, which will be divided into cluster groups, as discussed during the first meeting yesterday.

These cluster groups will also have their own meeting, “The directive he issued was that for every department to have a lay of the land for two weeks,” he said.

The bulk of the first Cabinet meeting, according to Lacierda, delved on the issue of midnight appointees, where they are still in the process of making an inventory, and will eventually decide on what to do with them.

“Things are still very fluid. But we will be coming up with an executive order on this.”