MCIAA multi-million deal (2)
THIS is a continuation of my column last Saturday about the purchase of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) of a private parcel of land adjacent to the Mactan airport in the amount of P590 million. This, despite an opposition by an individual who claimed to have “valuable interest” of the said property. The lot, which is situated in Barangays Bankal and Buaya in Lapu-Lapu City, covers 42,329 square meters. It has been reconstituted to the heirs of Juan Pulvera and Julia Igot. Lot 3538 was one of the airport properties administered by the former Air Transportation Office (ATO), the predecessor of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which were turned over to the MCIAA following the enactment of Republic Act 6958, or the MCIAA Charter in 1997.
The heirs of the Pulvera spouses headed by Eduardo Pulvera Patalinghug were able to reconstitute the lot in a decision of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54 in Lapu-Lapu City. The MCIAA appealed the decision before the Court of Appeals (CA). While the case was pending before the CA, a series of negotiations was held between the MCIAA Board and the Pulvera’s heirs until they agreed to a one-time payment in the amount of P590 million. The agreement was reviewed by the solicitor general and reportedly approved by the CA. The payment was reportedly released last June 23.
This, despite the opposition of one Anatalia Booc, a resident of Busay, Cebu City, who claimed to have a ‘valuable interest’ or share of the property. What is the interest of Booc? Booc claimed that while the case was pending before the RTC in LapuLapu City and before the CA, she financed everything in the litigation. She said the Pulvera’s heirs approached her and asked for financial assistance to pay for the re- constitution of the property in their favor. She granted their request and agreed that 1/8 of the property should be given to her. There is an extrajudicial declaration of their agreement.
However, she was left out in the negotiation. She wrote MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete about her concern and attempted to block the negotiation but her appeal fell on deaf ears. She filed a case before the ombudsman and in the regular court against MCIAA Board. She only found out about the release of the payment a few days ago.
Now, why was the MCIAA Board in such a hurry to release the payment despite the opposition of Booc, who has a valid concern and claim of the property? Was it an alleged “midnight deal” because the terms of some, if not all MCIAA Board members, expired last June 30 as they were appointed by the previous administration? Booc mentioned some influential persons who were behind the deal. I am not at liberty to divulge their identities. She was even threatened when these people heard that she would approach me.
In any transaction, especially in real estate, we can’t deny the fact that there are people who will get legitimate commissions, whether they are outsiders or part of the negotiating party. I don’t know the industry standard in giving commissions in real estate transactions. If it’s 10 percent, then those people who had a hand in this transaction got a whopping P59 million. Is my math correct? After my column came out last Saturday, I received some feedbacks that the amount reflected in the agreement was not the actual amount received by the lot owners. Well, this is unfair to members of the MCIAA Board. However, we cannot also just outrightly dismiss these allegations. Again, I am reserving this space in our next issue for MCIAA officials to give their side on the matter.
*** Here he goes again, showing his vindictiveness and arrogance. This “former political has been” who just returned to City Hall is running after the neck of regular City Hall officials and employees who are identified with the previous administration. He is making the lives of these personalities miserable. What was their fault? Just because they were given an important role in the Rama administration, they are automatically considered Rama loyalists? That’s unfair.
Look at the case of former market administrator and Probe chief Raquel Arce. She is now assigned as a nightshift security guard at the Doña Pepang cemetery. My gosh! Gigukod gyud og maayo.
This lady has potential. Why not utilize her ability by giving her an important role in this present administration? Abi ba nako ug nagbag-o na ning tawhana? Manggukod man diay gihapon. Hoy, pag-usab na uy. Gihatagan naka ug sakit sa Ginoo.