VICE Gov. Gregorio Sanchez said he was satisfied with the Provincial Board’s (PB) investigation on the Balili property purchase, but will abide by the majority’s decision if it chooses today to reopen the probe.

“We will try to see if there is merit to the reinvestigation,” said Sanchez.

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A PB member has to move for the inquiry to be reopened, and a majority vote in favor of the motion is required.

PB Member Victor Maambong has already said he will move for the reopening in today’s regular session.

This time, the questions will focus on the alleged admission of PB Member Juan Bolo that he gave money to Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre for tax payments of the nearly P100-million Balili property in Tina-an, City of Naga.

When asked if the new flow of the investigation might alienate Bolo, Maambong said the public has the right to know the truth.

“Between his (Bolo) feelings and the feelings of the public, I think I have a duty to answer to the public,” said Maambong in a mobile phone interview yesterday.

“I will ask him if what came out is true and other related things,” said Maambong.

A newspaper report quoted Bolo as admitting he gave Salubre P50,000 for tax payments. Maambong and some of his colleagues questioned the motive because the property is tax-free. Under the memorandum of agreement, the vendors—the heirs of Luis J. Balili—are supposed to pay for the taxes.

Bolo, however, repeatedly denied the report.

“I never gave any amount to anybody,” he earlier told Sun.Star Cebu.

Review

Although the PB has wrapped up its investigation, it has yet to present its recommendations.

A separate body created by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the Balili Properties Review Committee, has yet to make public its report and recommendations on the transaction. In the executive order that created it, the committee was given 30 days after Aug. 24 to submit its findings to the governor.

“There are material and relevant matters that we need to inform the public about,” said Maambong.

Maambong refused to further reveal his plans as far as the investigation is concerned.

He explained that while the ad hoc committee closed the investigation, there are other matters that recently came out that need the PB’s attention.

Initially, he said, he has the support of four other members of the board—Agnes Magpale, Wilfredo Caminero, Peter John Calderon and Joven Mondigo Jr., co-chairperson of the ad hoc committee handling the investigation.

The purchase of the Balili property became controversial when it was found that some areas were submerged in water or covered by mangroves.

The Capitol has signed an agreement allowing a Korean power company, in exchange for containment fees, to dump coal ash from its future power plants on part of the former resort property. The Capitol also plans to reclaim portions of the property and develop a port there. (JGA)