Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday denied having violated the law when the provincial government purchased property in Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental, for the Negros First Ranch, and constructed  structures there.

He said the charges filed before the Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas against him and two others are politically motivated. They were filed by the same persons and group who have made similar allegations in the past, the governor  added.

“This will not stop us from pursuing development projects for the good of the people of Negros Occidental,” he said.

The governor was reacting to the complaint affidavit filed by lawyer Roger Reyes charging him, Provincial Treasurer Nilda Generoso, and Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa criminally and administratively  before  the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman (Visayas) for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Building Code of the Philippines, Government Procurement Reform Act, and for technical malversation.

The complaint affidavit of Reyes was in connection with the acquisition by the provincial government of the P41.2 million Santa Rosa property and the construction of P10 million worth of improvements on it.

Marañon said procedures required by law were followed in the purchase of the property.

He also said that when they inquired from the Department of Agrarian Reform if the property the Capitol was to purchase was covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, they were told that it was not. It was only after the land was purchased that it was covered by CARP, he said. The Capitol has presented its position to the DAR that is currently acting on the matter, he said.

The governor also said that when the property was purchased by the Capitol, its fair market value was determined to protect the interest of the provincial government.*CPG

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