Mayor says he’ll do everything to rescind sales of SRP lots to SM, Ayala, Filinvest Tomas: I’ll break sale of SRP lots

“I WILL do everything in my power to rescind the sales of the South Road Properties (SRP),” said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in his New Year’s message to Cebuanos.

He described 2017 as a “very crucial year.”

In a press conference last Dec. 26 before leaving for Japan for a family vacation, Osmeña said he will break the sale of the SRP lots to the consortium of Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) and Filinvest Land Inc.

“I’d like to share with the Cebuanos my concern that this will be a very crucial year. We also have a threat on peace and order. I will wait after the Sinulog to file (charges against the consortium), but we’re going for it. I feel like a gladiator entering the arena with these three lions,” he said.

The City awarded the lot to the consortium last July 21, 2015. The deal was closed for P16.76 billion.

Bidding

Of the 45.2-ha. lot subjected for bidding, 26 has. were bought by the consortium of Ayala and SM, while 19.2 has. were bought by Filinvest.

Last May 2016, before assuming office, Osmeña called the transaction

City awarded the lot to a consortium last July 21, 2015 at P16.76 billion Last May 2016, before assuming office, Osmeña called the transaction “questionable” and announced that he will revoke the sale of the property Mayor announced suspension of pending building and occupancy permits of tenants of SM Seaside City

“questionable” and announced that he will revoke the sale of the property.

Six months later, the mayor pressed charges against SMPHI over taxes.

Suspension

He then announced the suspension of all pending building and occupancy permits of tenants of SM Seaside City until SMPHI corrects the construction violation of the shopping mall.

“They say it was not fair, below the belt and that I was just looking for mistakes. Yes, that’s right. I don’t think it’s wrong. They violated the build- ing code by building on a setback. The City Government can cancel their business permit with that violation,” Osmeña said.

He said SMPHI promised to correct its violations by December but they have yet to start until now.

Stores

“If they’re testing me, I will close all SM-operated-and-owned stores inside the mall. I think, in their minds, they can do no wrong. It’s okay to cheat the people of Cebu because that’s normal in business. Sorry. I just want the people to understand that my job is to protect the interest of the city,” he said.

For this year, Osmeña said he will also close down some banks, branch after branch, for allegedly failing to declare all their taxes.

While he has yet to disclose the details in full, he said he will start with a bank on Magallanes St.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella, for his part, said the year gives a new opportunity for the people to both look back and forward to rectify their mistakes.

“As the saying goes, ‘good, better, best. Never take a rest until your good becomes better, and your better, best’,” he said in an interview last Friday. RTF