PCGG ordered to probe sale of sequestered properties

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to investigate the unauthorized disposal and occupation of the Surigao del Sur properties of a logging company owned by Peter Sabido, an alleged crony of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

In a resolution dated Jan. 3, the court’s Fifth Division granted the plea of intervenor Diatagon Labor Federation (DLF) for the protection of several hectares of landholdings allegedly belonging to the sequestered Lianga Bay Logging Co. Inc. (LBLCI).

The court said the PCGG should not be “just sitting aback and closing its eyes to the report” that the properties in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga municipality, were either distributed or sold by unnamed local government officials or occupied by informal settlers.

Ocular inspection

The PCGG had opposed DLF’s motion, arguing that the group did not mention the titles and locations of the property or establish that the landholdings were indeed part of LBLCI’s assets.

But the court said the lack of data was “inconsequential” because an investigation was requested precisely to establish what the facts really were.

“An investigation or ocular inspection is precisely requested, at the least, to determine and establish the baseline condition of LBLCI assets. Plaintiff (PCGG) may not conveniently renege on such duty to do so … ,” read the resolution penned by Associate Justice Maryann Corpuz-Mañalac.