The Office of the Ombudsman in Manila has set the preliminary hearing on the case against Mabalacat City Mayor Garbo, 10 councilors, and the Treasurer, on January 31, 2024.
This, as Mabalacat Councilor Jun Castro revealed to members of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) Pampanga Chapter on Thursday that he obtained a Deed of Absolute Sale on the acquisition of some 21,115 square meters of land in Barangay Camachiles, Mabalacat City.
Castro showed to members of the media that the land amounted to P527,875,000, less than the approved loan of P610 million.
The Office of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Mabalacat City in its regular session held on March 8, 2023 had approved Appropriation Ordinance No. 05, authorizing the “supplemental budget No. 001-2023, involving an amount of P610,000,000 for the acquisition of lot to be used for the construction of the proposed New Mabalacat City Government Center.”
The ordinance was approved by Mabalacat Vice Mayor Gerald Guthrie Aquino, and Councilors Timothy Paul Llanos Dee, Victor D. Tiglao II, Noelito B. Castro, Elizabeth R. Pineda, Roland D. Pena, Jerry P. Magsino, Carlo Francis B. Dizon, Elmer S. Mendiola, and Hans Christian G. Balingit. Absent during the approval of the ordinance were Councilors Cherry Manalo and Marjorie Grace M. Sambo.
Castro did not concur in the approval of the said ordinance citing the acquisition of the land and construction of a new Mabalacat City Government Center is not included in Mabalacat City’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of 2023. The AIP is being submitted to the Pampanga Provincial Government for approval.
Upon the approval of Ordinance No. 05, Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo has entered into a negotiation with PLDT Inc. for the acquisition of the more than 2 hectare of land in Barangay Camachile. Mayor Garbo has executed the Deed of Absolute Sale with Mr. Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and Chief Executive Officer of PLDT Inc.
The land in Barangay Camachile is covered by TCT No. 045-2015008751. The land amounted to P527,875,000 plus 12% VAT.
The camp of Garbo said “they will neither engage in unsubstantiated speculation by the councilor nor dignify these unfounded accusations with a response.