Gov. Marañon, 2 others face graft raps

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Criminal and administrative complaints were filed at the Office of  the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas against Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and two other provincial government heads for graft and corruption in procurement and for technical malversation.

According to lawyer Roger Reyes, who filed the complaints against Marañon, Provincial Treasurer Nilda Generoso and Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa, the provincial government allegedly incurred an illegal purchase on a property in Sta. Rosa, Murcia town of  Negros Occidental, for the Negros First Ranch, and the subsequent building of structures on it.

Marañon quickly dismissed the issue, as he claimed that "it's still the same case filed by the same group and the same person. It is politically motivated."

The governor insisted that no violation was committed when the provincial government acquired the property, as he pointed out that it was approved by the Provincial Board and that the fair market value assessment was approved by the committee.

Further, he said the property was not yet covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program before the acquisition. He added that the area was only covered by CARP after the purchase.

The governor said there was an offer to sell and the value of the land was assessed and was certified within the fair market value. "So how can bidding be held?" Marañon asked.

In his complaint, a copy of which was furnished to The Freeman, Reyes alleged that Marañon signed and executed the deed of absolute sale acquiring the Sta. Rosa property for P41.2 million and Generoso released the amount. Mapa then constructed P10 million worth of improvements on the property.

Reyes argued that the purchase and full payment of the property were null and void, since these were not exempted from the CARP. He explained that the Department of Agrarian Reform has not issued a clearance to legalize the sale and transfer of ownership of the three agricultural lots in favor of the provincial government.