Treñas dares accusers to prove 'land scam' allegation
City Mayor Jerry Treñas has given Sarah Jane Magdalo or Norberto Ortigoza until this week to prove their allegations of overpricing in the acquisition of a lot for relocation site of families affected by the Iloilo Flood Control Project. Should they fail to show proof about their allegation, Treñas said, the city government will go on with the transaction.
Magdalo who first exposed the controversy has not come out up to this time. While, late last week Ortigoza, a casual employee in the vice mayor's office and claiming as head of the Peoples Council Against Graft and Corruption, came out to confirm Magdalo's allegations.
Ortigoza, in different media interviews declared that he will file charges before the Ombudsman against several government officials particularly realtor Efren Gimeo, members of the committee on Land Evaluation and Acquisition (CLEA) and committee on appraisal and zoning of the city government.
He alleged, the said personalities have conspired resulting to an overpriced deal on the land transaction amounting to some P28 million.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlungsod is also expected to decide on the report of the task force created by the mayor to probe the alleged land scam.
Earlier, the task force has downplayed the alleged overpricing and recommended for the mayor to push through with the deal as nothing is anomalous with it.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Guillermo dela Llana said he has nothing to do with the decision of Ortigoza.
"It was his personal decision to file cases before the Ombudsman based on his belief that the transaction is anomalous," Dela Llana said.
Dela Llana added he could not do anything should the council approve the report of the task force but to recognize the decision of the august body. The same way he could not prevent Ortigoza from filing the case.
On the other hand, Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo denied the allegation of Ortigoza that the city has already paid some P20 million to the owner Marilyn Inocencio Mirasol for the 162,000 square meter lot in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City.
"The money is still intact and the council has to approve first the report of the task force on the alleged land scam before the deal could push through," the councilor clarified.