NGC land issue finally settled
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other city officials were vindicated over the issue on the ownership of the donated property where the New Government Center (NGC) is standing.
This was expressed by City Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Bayatan after Regional Trial Court Branch 48 Judge Gorgonio Ybanez denied the opposition filed by complainant Mr. Victor Eduardo relative to the reconstitution of the certificate of title of the subject property in the name of the City of Bacolod.
The construction of the NGC on the property donated by the Gonzaga family was challenged by Mr. Eduardo because the city government failed to produce the land title which is a basic requirement when the government establishes a project over a donated land.
Bayatan said that the court believed that the motive of Mr. Eduardo in filing his opposition to the reconstitution of the certificate of title in the name of the petitioner is political in nature and is directed against the incumbent Mayor of Bacolod City.
The court noted that Mr. Eduardo in his motion for leave dated October 18, 2007 admitted that he had filed four cases against the local chief executive and he is using the proceedings as a bridge in his desire to derail and/or otherwise delay the construction of the New Government Center, which is the project of the Mayor.
The court finds that Mr. Eduardo insisted his intention in malicious manner and that his actions were plain and simple “politically motivated.”
Last Monday Mayor Leonardia surprisingly received the Transfer of Certificate of Title or TCT No. T-8821 stipulating that the donated property is in the name of the City of Bacolod.