News Briefs

ILLEGAL SUDLON LOT SALE

TWO  officials  who allowed the sale of a lot in barangay Sudlon, Cebu City that is protected  by environment laws were ordered suspended  for two months  by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

Fedencio Carreon of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Central Visayas  and Sudlon I barangay captain Dante Tabucal were found guilty of neglect of duty.

They were held liable for failing to file  action against lot claimant George Oquias for violation of the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (Nipas) Act which states that “lands within the protected landscapes are outside of the commerce of man.”

The case stemmed from a  dispute over a 3.34-hectare lot in barangay Sudlon, Cebu City.

The lot, now a  gamefowl breeding farm and orchard, is within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol

DISMISSED

A CAPITOL employee was ordered dismissed from service by the anti-graft office for duping a lot owner five years ago.

Felomina Labiaga, an employee of the Land Tax Division of the Province of Cebu, was found guilty of dishonesty and grave misconduct by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Adriano Gasalatan Jr. who said  he was deceived by Labiaga and her three companions.

Gasalatan said he and his wife bought 233-square meter  parcel of land owned by one Ma. Magdalena Repunte in barangay Lawaaan, Talisay City.

The complainant was made to believe that Labiaga could  facilitate the immediate transfer of the ownership of the lot to the couple’s names.

On Feb. 21, 2006, Labiaga allegedly demanded  payment of P4,750 from the couple for the  transfer of the lot title to their names.  Gasalatan gave the amount along with the Transfer Certificate of Title. Labiaga allegedly vowed to return the lot title but failed to do so./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol