The Negros Occidental provincial government has not received an official copy of the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Court of Appeals so there is nothing stopping it from the sale and lease of its 7.7 hectare property in Bacolod City to AyalaLand, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

The petition for the TRO was sought by SM Prime Holdings Inc. that is opposing the Capitol’s awarding of the 7.7-hectare property to AyalaLand.

AyalaLand Vice President Jose Emmanuel Jalnadoni yesterday met with the governor at the Capitol. He asked if we needed Ayala’s help on legal matters, the governor said.

The provincial government has sent the contract for the sale and lease of the property to the Commission on Audit for review before it can be signed, the governor said.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno Negros in a press statement yesterday urged the governor to stop the sale and lease of the property, calling it an act against the interest of the people of Negros.

The governor has no right to sell inherited property, it is

disadvantageous to Negrenses and it is not true that the community is supporting the project, Ronald Ian Evidente, KMU Negros spokesman, said.

He charged that such sale and lease will only benefit the capitalists, and Negrenses must stop it.

Business and planters groups have expressed support for the sale of the property.

The United Negros Drivers Operators Center yesterday also released a resolution declaring full support for the governor for the sale and lease of the 7.7 hectare property.

The infusion of huge capitalization for the project by the private investor will mean more money in circulation, more job opportunities, and increased government revenues that will spur economic development, the resolution said.

It will also increase the demand for public transportation services, it said.

Meanwhile, the governor yesterday reiterated that there is no rift between him and Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ, 3rd District) over the Capitol’s decision to sell and lease the property to Ayala instead of SMPHI.

Benitez had joined SMPHI when it earlier presented its unsolicited proposal in its bid to lease and buy the 7.7 hectare property.*CPG

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Let the court decide, Benitez reiterated in an interview in Manila yesterday on the SMPHI suit against the Capitol for its awarding the sale and lease of the property to AyalaLand.

To do otherwise, would be “technically attacking the system”, he said, referring to the court.

Benitez who maintained that there are some questions on the bidding, said “for us to boycott anything, it is going beyond the legal processes we have” in reaction to threats by some of a boycott on SM.

Benitez said SMPHI and Ayala came to Negros Occidental to develop the property, and not to stop each other.

He is hopeful that the issues and concerns related to the provincial government property will be ironed out and resolve as soon as possible, Benitez said.

Rep. Anthony Golez (Bacolod) said that due process must observed and whatever decision the court has should be accepted.*GPB

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