LAWYERS representing Cebu congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Gwendolyn Garcia warned prospective bidders and members of the Capitol's Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) not to proceed with the scheduled bidding for the public-auctioned 1.4-hectare real properties owned by the Province.
Garcia, who is already garnering a wide lead in the gubernatorial race in Cebu, is set to be declared on Wednesday, May 16.
Lawyer Marino Martinquilla, a member of Garcia’s legal team, said in a press conference that the Cebu governor-electa is against the plan of outgoing Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to sell 14 parcels of land owned by the Province.
“We are calling upon, warning all prospective bidders not to participate in this bidding kay mahimo tang unwilling or willing cohorts sa illegal transaction. Atong hubsan ang Probinsya sa iyang mga resources. Palihug ayaw tawn mo pagpagamit. Ayaw ninyo isugal ang inyong professional career,” Martinquilla said.
Lawyer Lito Astillero, another member of Garcia's legal team, denied that the decision has nothing to do with politics since the election season is over.
“This issue nga she would have wanted to take during the campaign period, but wala lang niya gidayon nga pasanginlan napod siya og namulitika. Dili gyod ni pamulitika, but public service and the service is for the Cebuanos,” Astillero added.
Most of these lands are located in Cebu City particularly in Barangays Mabolo, Busay, Banilad, and Kamputhaw.
As scheduled, bidders are set to submit their respective bids on Wednesday, May 15.
The awarding of the Notice of Award to the winning bidder will be done on May 30 while the payment and execution of the Deed of Absolute Sale was initially scheduled on June 4 this year.
Martinquilla described the auction as a "clearance sale."
“Kay human naman ang election, pildi pa, ipadayon pa gyod nila ang pagbaligya. Nangutang naman ang probinsya ug mamaligya pa gyud og yuta,” Martinquilla added. (WBS)