LRA affirms PCGG title to Payanig property

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Registration Authority (LRA) has affirmed the authenticity of the land title covering a portion of the disputed 18.5-hectare Payanig sa Pasig property held by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

The PCGG released the LRA’s report, dated April 15, in a press conference yesterday.

The development came as the Pasig City Metropolitan Trial Court is expected to hand down anytime its decision on the ejectment cases filed by the PCGG against 10 establishments occupying the 2.4-hectare portion of the property covered by the LRA-authenticated title.

The PCGG currently holds Transfer Certificate of Title No. 469702 in the name of Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp., one of the corporations surrendered to the government by known Marcos crony Jose Campos in 1986.

The LRA found “that the subject original owner’s duplicate copy of TCT No. 469702 in the name of Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp., which is under the custody of the PCGG is the genuine owner’s duplicate copy of the said title.”

The LRA said “scientific examinations” of the questioned documents proved the authenticity of the title, adding that it tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to assist in the authentication process.

PCGG general manager Luis Quiogue said the authentication of the title would strengthen their cases against claimants, including the group of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, to the property.

He said the PCGG officials will meet with lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor General to discuss the next course of action next week.

“It strengthens our claim that we are the rightful owner,” Quiogue told reporters.