House to deepen probe into allegedly anomalous land deals

 

MANILA, Philippines — Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Paduano on Thursday said the House of Representatives will deepen its investigation into allegedly anomalous land transactions involving local government officials.

Padiano, who chairs the House committee on public accounts, made the pronouncement after the committee discovered numerous alleged irregularities and anomalies in several real estate transactions in San Simon, Pampanga.

“Kaya dito nagkaproblema ang San Simon. Madami ding bayan ang gumagawa nito kaya natin iniimbestigahan. You are not following the laws of the land. The necessary requirements should be complied with,” Paduano said in a statement.

(That’s why San Simon encountered a problem here. It is also happening in other towns,  which is why we’re investigating. You are not adhering to the laws of the land. The necessary conditions must be complied with.)

“Kailangan palalimin natin ito (We need dig deeper) because we cannot allow these things to happen in these municipalities in Pampanga and even in other parts of the country. Dito lang muna tayo magsimula (Let’s start here). But sooner or later, we will take a look at municipalities in other provinces and regions, papa-imbestigahan natin yan (We will conduct investigations),” he added. 

The committee is currently investigating allegations stated in House Resolution No. 1503 filed by Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordañes, which sought an investigation into the actions of San Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

“This hearing is all about the cases filed against Mayor Punsalan. As of now, we have unearthed the details of the properties being bought by the municipality of San Simon and the reclassification ordinance being given to some companies and individual titleholders,” Paduano said. 

“And we will go deeper into this. Kasi lahat ng mga warehouses owned by Filipino citizens and Filipino corporations might be owned by foreign nationals in San Simon, just like what happened in Mexico, Pampanga,” Paduano stated. 

In 2023, the committee also investigated dubious land deals in Mexico, Pampanga involving transactions with a certain Aedy Tai Yang.

Under the 1987 Constitution, foreign nationals are prohibited to own land in the Philippines.