Palace says PhilForest-Acuzar deal canceled since 2011; Lozada bitter

CONSTRUCTION magnate Jose “Jerry” Acuzar. Photo by JOSEPH AGCAOILI

MANILA, Philippines – A Palace official on Wednesday said the alleged “midnight deal” between Philippine Forest Corp. (PhilForest) and a real estate firm was already terminated in 2011, reported Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Jun Lozada was probably making accusations because he did not get presidential support in defense of charges pressed against him.

Lozada earlier tagged Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr. to the terminated deal of PhilForest and Jose “Jerry” Acuzar’s New San Jose Builders Inc. but Valte said the lease of 2,000 hectares of land to Acuzar has long been canceled.

In another report, Valte said the agreement was terminated when the developer seemed to have abandoned the project.

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