Monday, February 09, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal: A landowner of a parcel of land along Sumulong Highway in Sitio Santa Cruz, Barangay Cruz, Antipolo City accused the owner of the National Book Store chain of land grabbing, to the point of dragging the names of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Ben-jamin Abalos Sr.
In an interview, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Magkakapitbahay President and Esteban Sierra Foundation Chairman Aurelio Sierra accused National Book Store owner Alfredo Cancio Ramos of land grabbing, which involves some 58, 382-square-meter worth over P116 million.
“Nagawang patituluhan ni Mr. Ramos and aming lupa (TCT No. 411773) sa pamamagitan ng kwestiyonableng proseso [Mr Ramos managed to acquire a land title for our property through some highly questionable process],” Sierra said in an interview.
Sierra said that the land title acquired by Ramos was defective and fraudulent since it has no serial number, no technical description, and has no record of deed of sale in the Register of Deeds, Land Registration Authority, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the National Archives.
According to the complaint filed before the offices of Senators Jamby Madrigal and Panfilo Lacson, Sierra said that on October 24, 2004, a compromise agreement was entered by the parties where Ramos would pay P10 million as down payment for the sale of the property.
Documents also showed that Abalos, who acted as broker for Ramos.
Pursuant to the agreement, Sierra said that they would withdraw all the cases of land grabbing they earlier filed against Ramos in various courts.
The compromise agreement was signed because Ramos has claimed ownership over the said property brandishing a title described as TCT No. 411773 in the Register of Deed of Marikina City, against their tax declaration.
Sierra said that after they turned over the property to Ramos, he was obliged to them P5 million, with Sierra himself having the exclusive authority to sell the property at the rate of P2,000 per square meter with a period of one year for a total of P105 million out of which, one-third or P35 million would be given to them.
It was further agreed that should they fail to sell the property, Ramos would give an additional amount of P5 million by way of consideration of the property.
However, the sale of the property did not materialize because Ramos used the property as mortgage for P280 million from Metrobank despite having ownership contention.
This was where they encountered problems as the first supposed buyer identified as Go-dofredo Ramos backed out after he was unable to find a title under the bookstore owner.
A certain Engineer Eduardo Parra then was able to secure the title but learned that it was mortgaged to Metrobank for P250 million. However, Ramos then refused to sell the property, claiming he will just set up housing for his bookstore employees.
“It clearly appears that it was nothing but an excuse because he would rather have the mortgage stay having benefited P250 million compared to selling the property at P105 million. If he will pay the mortgage and allow the sale, he would lose money,” Sierra told media.
Sierra’s lawyer, Atty. Alfredo Tiu then said that Ramos inveigled Sierra to sign a memorandum of settlement and termination which he used so that Sierra could no longer run after him.
“Mr. Ramos paid the undersigned a little amount of money by installment and even imposed an interest of 24 percent per annum or a total; of P204, 666,” Tiu said.
“It is clear Mr. Ramos defrauded me by misrepresentation and deceit. He made me believe that I can sell the property when in truth and in fact, he had no intention of selling the same as it could not be actually sold having already been mortgaged.”
Sierra said that what they wanted was for Ramos to honor his compromise agreement paying them P25 million which corresponds to the one-third share due them. The First Couple and Abalos came into the picture as Sierra accused Ramos of having bragged about his connections in the negotiations, claiming he was close to them and was assured of their help in case he gets into some trouble.
Abalos, served as the negotiator or broker for Ramos to enter into the compromise agreement.
The First Gentleman’s influence on the other hand was mentioned as Public Works Director Angelito Macapagal-Tuaño told Sierra that the case would be settled, if they agree to give half of what they are supposed to earn to the President’s husband.
“Naghain na kami ng pormal na reklamo sa ating mga iginagalang na senador ng Pilipinas upang mag-karoon ng mas malalim na imbes-tigasyon hinggil sa ginawang pagla-land grab sa aming mga nabanggit na lupain na ginawa ni Alfredo Concio-Ramos, may-ari ng National Book Store at sa kasamahan niya at mga kaibigan at kaalyado na sina Pangulong Gloria Arroyo at First Gentleman na laging ipinangangalandakan ni Alfredo Concio-Ramos,” Sierra said in their complaint.
Aside from Ramos, President Arroyo, First Gentleman, Abalos and Tuaño, Sierra also wanted the Senate to include in their investigation, the participation of Presentacion Ramos, lawyer Glen Manahan, Cesar Cancio, former Justice Florenz Regalado, Justice Dante Tinga, Benjamin Ramos, Cecilia Licauco, Socorro Ramos, Maximo Licauco, Augusto Sunico, lawyer Rean Mayo Licauco, and even former Sen. Joey Lina and incumbent Sen. Edgardo Angara.
Sierra is now calling for the Senate to investigate his allegations.-- James Konstantin Galvez
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