• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The City Legal Office (CLO) is waiting for the Ledesma Group of Properties to submit all the required documents before payment of P826 million, representing 85 percent of the agreed purchase price of P972 million, for about 74.75 hectares of their properties in Barangay Granada, Bacolod.
CLO head, Atty. Carlos Romeo Ting Jr., said in an interview Oct. 16 that they have asked for a vicinity map from the Ledesma Group, since what was submitted earlier was only a map.
“We asked for a vicinity map para specific kung may dalan maagihan sa duta nga baklon,” Ting said, adding he also advised that all annexes or attachments should be complete, like SPA (Special Power of Attorney) and Secretary Certificate for the one authorized to sign the Deed of Absolute Sale.
“Ginapakumpleto namon tanan nga titles, may isa to wala nadala sa ila attachment,” Ting explained, adding that if all papers or documents are complete, then the initial payment could then be made.
Based on the Deed of Absolute Sale, the P826 million shall be paid “upon the execution and ratification” of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the deal.
“The remaining 15 percent balance of P145.8 million shall be paid…upon the release and submission to the (City) of the Electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration relative to this, owner’s copy of the title of all subject properties…and tax declarations of all subject properties…”, the deed states.
During its regular session Oct. 11, the SP ratified, with one abstention, the Deed of Sale between the City Government of Bacolod and Ninth Sonia Agri Corp., Tenth Sonia Agri Corp., Eleventh Sonia Agri Corp., Twelfth Sonia Agri Corp., Thirteenth Sonia Agri Corp., Fourteenth Sonia Agri Corp., Ell Agri Corp., Cagaka Agri Corp., Jato Agri Corp., Lawod Agri Corp., Gerardo L. Ledesma, Antonio Ma. L. Ledesma married to Ma. Luisa De Castro Ledesma, and Ma. Eugenia L. Ledesma married to Robert Reichenbach, represented by Jose Maria Ledesma Jr., and the Kabasesama Agri Corp., Javinino Agri Corp., Tomar Agri Corp., Mer Agri Corp., Noyled Agri Corp., and Lebat Agri Corp., represented by Sebastian Antonio Ledesma, involving parcels of lots measuring 747,857 square meters, or 74.7587 hectares, in total.
Councilor Em Ang, who was the lone abstention, took note of the legal opinion of the CLO that specified several discrepancies.
There is need to observe and address all discrepancies (first), otherwise, the SP could be held liable if there are liabilities that would arise in the future, she said during the deliberations.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez, in his letter to Antonio Ma. Ledesma, authorized representative of the Ledesma Group of Properties, dated Sept. 26, said the “City is amenable of your counter-offer for the purchase price of P1,300 per square meter, with a total area of 747,587 square meters, or 74.7587 hectares, located in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City”.
“After careful evaluation of your property and considering its proximity to the existing Abada Escay Relocation Site, we find your properties suitable for land banking and mixed use of the City of Bacolod”, Benitez added.
The mayor said in a press conference Oct. 16 that the city is eyeing the establishment of a cemetery, housing, and other future projects in the Ledesma property.
The payment of capital gains tax/e-withholding tax, real estate taxed and e-VAT (if implemented) shall be borne solely by the vendors (Ledesma Group) while documentary stamp tax, fees, payments and charges imposed by any government offices or agencies related to the transfer of title of the property shall be borne solely by the vendee (City), the deed states. | CGC
