‘ACCEPT DONATION BUT LOOK FOR ANOTHER LOT’

Council allows mayor to accept donation of his sister for building of skate park, but resolution doesn’t specify which lot in SRP will be used for the project

To avoid legal questions, the Cebu City Government might have to look for another portion of the South Road Properties (SRP) to build the proposed skate park.

In yesterday’s regular session, the City Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign on behalf of the City Government the deed of donation and acceptance with Maria Victoria “Minnie” Osmeña.

The mayor’s sister Minnie is contributing $100,000, which is

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the City will use the lots that were initially bought by the consortium of Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc., since there was no legitimate sale of the lots.

equivalent to over P5 million, to build a skate park.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr.’s approved resolution, though, did not specify a particular portion of the SRP for the project.

The initial plan was to build the skate park in a lot within the 26-hectare SRP that three giant developers supposedly bought.

Earlier, Mayor Osmeña said the City will use the lots that were initially bought by the consortium of Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc., since there was no legitimate sale of the lots.

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

Of the 45.2 hectares that were opened for bidding, 26 hectares were bought by the consortium of Ayala and SM, while 19.2 hectares were bought by Filinvest.

However, Filinvest has rescinded the contract of the sale.

But due to location concerns, the Council has agreed to omit any specified location provided in the resolution, and deed of donation and acceptance.

Before the deliberation of Gabuya’s measure, opposition Councilor Joel Garganera delivered a privilege speech on the matter.

“I have no issues about this donation. But if we put it in a property that has been subjected to controversies, then I doubt that the intentions of the donation were pure,” he said.

I have no issues about this donation. But if we put it in a property that has been subjected to controversies, then I doubt that the intentions of the donation were pure. COUNCILOR JOEL GARGANERA