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Monday, May 01, 2006
Ouster of city registrar sought
By Rimaliza Opiña
RESIDENTS of Barangays Dontogan and Sto. Tomas affected by the alleged land grabbing of a subdivision developer have demanded for the resignation of Vicente Jose Angeles, acting head of the City Registry of Deeds (ROD).
Affected residents trooped to the ROD said that Angeles reportedly entered into a compromise deal with Prime Peak Properties Limited Inc. Despite a pending petition before the Office of the Solicitor General (SolGen) to declare Prime Peak's title as null and void, Angeles reportedly registered and issued a new title to the subdivision developer.
Godefredo Cawaing, president of the Sto. Tomas Neighborhood Association, said an "under the table transaction," took place because Angeles acted "swiftly" and issued a "new title" to Prime Peak.
But Angeles denied the residents' insinuations, saying that what he issued to Prime Peak is a new owner's copy, not a new title. He added that the document contains the same data or annotation previously contained in Prime Peak's transfer certificate of title (TCT).
Angeles also clarified that the annotation of titles is a routine procedure in any ROD office. "Nothing is irregular if annotation is done within one day," he added.
The residents are apparently unaware that an action for reinstatement of title was filed a few years back by Prime Peak and the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in the city granted it.
"I am bound by a court order," Angeles said, stressing that Prime Peak's title is presumed valid, unless the court issues an order stating that the assailed title is null and void.
Only through a reversion proceeding initiated by the SolGen could the ROD cancel Prime Peak's TCT.
Angeles, however, admitted that reversion is a tedious process that would entail years before a decision is reached. In between those years, he said there is a possibility that Prime Peak would continue selling lots, even as their title still has to be validated.
"Mortgage, sale or any transaction should not be done unless Prime Peak's title is validated. This is a crucial, legal requirement," he said.
He suggested that buyers should ask for a refund of what they have paid.
He added that issuance of an advisory that Prime Peak up to this time has not been issued a license to sell is within the functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.
(May 1, 2006 issue)
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