Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella yesterday said he has created an investigation committee to probe people included in the Ombudsman cases involving the purchase of the property in Brgy. Felisa, Bacolod City for the city’s dumpsite and sanitary landfill.

Puentevella claimed that there are still six plunder cases and more than 20 other cases now pending with the Ombudsman for the Visayas.

There are some persons allegedly involved in the purchase of the property which include elected officials, department heads and city employees. Among them is Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, who was former chairman of the Sangguniang Committee on Environment, he said.

However, Puentevella said that before they are judged, he will have them investigated first. Those who have access to documents should inhibit themselves.

Gasataya said it was the City Appraisal Committee composed of the City Treasurer, City Assessor and City Engineer that determined the value of the property.

As member of the Technical Working Group, which studied the purchase of the sanitary landfill, they only recommended to the Mayor that there was an urgent need to purchase the property because the old dumpsite in Brgy. Mandalagan had to be closed as mandated by Republic Act 9003, he said.

“On our part, we followed the procedures and made our recommendation,” Gasataya said.

If they did not act at that time, charges would have been filed against the city for violation of R.A. 9003 and the city would have no place to dump garbage, he said.

Puentevella said they have discovered more data after the standoff at Barangay Felisa and will file cases with the Ombudsman next week.

After Roy Lopez (spokesperson of the Lopez family who owns Dynasty Agri-Aqua Ventures Corporation) blocked the way leading to the sanitary landfill, he will now open the Pandora's box, he said.

“I would like the case we plan to file next week to be a strong one because it will involve the past administration. There is already a pending case with the Ombudsman and a Lopez was involved. So there is an issue of conspiracy,” Puentevella said.

While the case is still pending with the Ombudsman, they will await its decision. But there are deeper issues and information they have discovered because of the standoff in Brgy. Felisa, he said.

Puentevella said if a member of the Lopez family will become state witnesses like Ruby Tuason or Dennis Cunanan and reveal how much they have received from the sale of the 7-hectare property, perhaps they will reevaluate the issues.

The bigger problem is that one of their lawyers was involved in the purchase of the property and is now defending the issue. He should get out of the kitchen before he gets disbarred, he claimed.

Lopez, in an interview over ABS CBN, said everything was written in black and white. “So why do we have to talk about that?” He asked.

“Supposedly, the deal has been done and everything was in black and white, ”Lopez insisted.

. On the other hand, Puentevella said the collection of garbage will continue and that they will use all their means to stop anyone who destroys the interest of the city.

He also said Enviroking Corporation is no longer paying toll fees because the alternative access road they created is owned by the city. No one should pay toll fees since the city has already paid P20 million for the purchase of the property, he added.*CGS

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