Department of Justice (File photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Public bidding is not required for the lease of government property, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a legal opinion, the DOJ declared that Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) need not hold a public bidding to lease part of its park to Westside City Inc., formerly known as Resorts World Bayshore City Inc. (RWBCI).
“Since the lease by NPF of its property to Westside City Inc. … is a straightforward lease, it is the considered view of this department that the same is not covered by the Build-Operate-Transfer Law,” the DOJ said.
Under the agreement, NPF leased part of the Nayong Pilipino Cultural Park to then-RWBCI for P1.2 billion in 2014.
Citing previous legal opinion it issued on similar issues, the DOJ said it was not aware of any law, which requires public bidding for the lease of government property.