PB probe on tax fee eyed

WHY pay taxes in a tax-free transaction?

At least five Cebu Provincial Board (PB) members want to know why their colleague, John Bolo, was quoted in a news report as saying he paid P50,000 to Provincial Treasurer Roy Sa-lubre, in relation to the Capitol’s purchase of the Balili resort property.

Bolo, however, told Sun.Star Cebu in a text message that he did not hand out P50,000, contrary to the report.

“I never gave any amount to anybody,” said Bolo.

Salubre, in a previous text message, also denied receiving any amount from Bolo. “Lain siguro iyang gitagaan (He may have given it to somebody else)?” the treasurer said.

PB Member Victor Maambong said he is willing to sponsor a resolution to reopen the board’s investigation on the Balili purchase, a deal that cost the Province about P99 million.

According to the me-morandum of agreement between Capitol and the heirs of Luis Balili, the taxes will be shouldered by the vendors. These include real property, estate, capital gains, documentary stamps and transfer taxes. The Balilis also committed to pay for the registration and transfer of titles, relocation of tenants and legal fees.

The Province is now trying to recover P38 million of what it paid, representing the part of the Tinaan, Naga land that turned out to be underwater or covered by mangroves.

But the executive branch still plans to reclaim part of the property, like the fishponds, using coal ash from power plants. A Korean company will pay the Capitol containment fees for the ash.

Apart from the PB, the ombudsman and the governor’s Balili Properties Review Committee also went over the transaction.

Member Joven Mondigo Jr., who heads the ad hoc committee that investigated the transaction, said the majority’s approval is needed for the probe to be reopened.

After less than two months, the PB recently decided to end its hearings on the Balili case.

The PB may, however, call for a special session so that Member Bolo and Salubre can shed light on the latest issue.

The matter reached PB Members Wilfredo Caminero, Agnes Magpale, Mondigo, Maambong and Calderon in China, where they joined the governor in a trip to promote
Cebu.

If Maambong’s proposed resolution will be approved, it will take a month to complete the PB’s final report on the land purchase.