The Negros Occidental provincial government has filed before the Regional Trial Court a manifestation with motion to cite Vincent Patrick Bayhon, the legal counsel of SM Prime Holdings Inc., in contempt.
However, Maryann Lamis-Manayon, the legal counsel of the provincial government, refused to comment on the matter after RTC Judge Estefanio Libutan Jr. asked them yesterday to refrain from giving any interviews on the merits of the case filed by SPHI against the local government.
Since Libutan did not want to issue a gag order, he requested Bayhon to file his comment on the motion filed by the provincial government within 15 days from yesterday.
The SM Prime Holdings Inc. filed a petition last year before the Bacolod Regional Trial Court seeking the annulment of any negotiated sale and lease by the provincial government property to Ayala Land Inc., and for SMPHI to be declared the winning bidder of the July 7 bidding.
During the hearing of the case yesterday, the provincial capitol presented its first witness, Provincial General Services Office head Lucille Chavez-Pines, who was cross-examined by Bayhon.
Bayhon also asked that he be furnished copies of the documents presented by the provincial government for exhibit before the next hearing.
Libutan has set the next hearings on May 25, June 29, July 20 and August 10.
Also present yesterday was Henrietta Vinco who represented Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
The provincial government submitted the Capitol-Ayala contracts for approval to the Commission on Audit on July 22 last year.
The Provincial Committee on Awards and Disposal of Real Properties awarded the sale and lease of the Capitol prime property to Ayala Land Inc. The project would combine the center of government with commercial and residential uses, and fulfills the objectives of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to finance the many development projects of Negros Occidental.*CGS back
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