Probe “illegal” acquisition of city lot

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Glenn Bercede is giving the City Council a blanket authority to form a committee that will look into the alleged illegal acquisition by Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon and her husband, Opao Barangay Captain Nizon Dizon, of a 2,500-square meter property of the city government.

This is in response to the City Council’s resolution urging Bercede to investigate the allegations in the complaint filed by broadcaster Edward Ligas against the congresswoman and her husband before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

“Kung mangayo og authority ang council nako to let them inspect muhatag ko as mayor,” Bercede told reporters yesterday, December 5.

Bercede added that he is waiting for the council's decision since the resolution has already been approved. The City Council approved a resolution urging for an investigation into the allegations that a city property was illegally acquired by the Dizons.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Cynthia Remedio, was approved on September 30. It was prompted by the complaint of Ligas against the Dizons alleging among others that the couple illegally acquired a city-owned property in Barangay Centro.

According to Ligas, the 2,500-square meter lot was part of the 186-hectare reclamation project of the city but was allegedly transferred under the names of the couple on November 9, 2005 through transfer certificate of title number 50817.

He asked the anti-graft body to prosecute the couple for plunder, graft, falsification of public documents, and falsification of Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth from 1997 to 2005.

“Given the nature of the transfer and the fact that such parcel of land is supposedly owned by the city, it is in the best interest of the city that this matter be thoroughly investigated,” read a portion of the resolution the council approved.

Some of the councilors, however, abstained from voting. These include Councilors Joel Seno, Cesar Cabahug Jr., and Andreo Icalina.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz described the resolution as a "propaganda issue" aimed at targeting the congresswoman.

“Kanang ilang gibuhat is just a propaganda issue ako ning personal, and it is the thought of many. It is a propaganda issue against Congresswoman Lolypop because they cannot find any issue against her, so ila ng gibuhat,” Soon-Ruiz told reporters in a separate interview.

She also questioned why the council needed to conduct an investigation when the Ombudsman is already looking into the matter. Soon-Ruiz added that the councilors insisted on having the investigation, and since they are in the majority, the resolution was approved.

“Ang akong dakong pangutana og mahuman gyud sila ana ilang investigation asa man na nila ihatag ang ilang resulta? Unsa may action nila ana? Padung ra man gihapon na sa Ombudsman,” said the vice mayor.

Soon-Ruiz is running for vice mayor in the upcoming midterm elections on May 12, 2025, as the running mate of Provincial Board Member Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, who is vying for the mayoral seat. The three councilors who abstained from voting are also running under Team Ouano.

In a separate interview, Mandaue City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan clarified that the council’s investigation will primarily aim to uncover the historical truth by examining documents linked to the case and determining their relevance.

“Concerning man gud ni sa yuta sa Mandaue. Concerning ni about sa mga panghitabo sa Mandaue City, unya interesado gyud ang konseho niana. I think they would also be remiss if ato lang ng palapson sa atong pikas dunggan if ingon ana kadako nga pasangil,” said Calipayan. –/FPL (FREEMAN)