SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday said the government stands to gain if allegations of illegally titled properties along Laguna Lake in Taguig are proven true, as authorities continue to scrutinize the questioned land titles.
Cayetano made the statement a day after Senator Panfilo Lacson alleged that there are four parcels of illegally reclaimed land in Taguig City covered by “fraudulently” issued titles, including a 181,077-square-meter property whose title originated from a homestead patent.
Lacson said the findings would form part of documents to be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Speaking at the 44th anniversary of Mandaport Apostolic Pentecostals (MAP) Church on August 30, Cayetano said the roughly 18-hectare property could ultimately benefit the government if the allegation surrounding its title is established.
“May isang nasa dyaryo kahapon na (nagsabi na may) 181,000 square meters o 18 hectares daw na ‘illegally titled.’ Sa isang banda po, nagho-hope din kami na totoo iyon. Bakit? Kasi kung totoong illegal iyon, sa gobyerno iyon [mapupunta], eh di may 18 hectares tayo ngayon para sa gobyerno,” he said.
Cayetano also welcomed the scrutiny of land titles in the area, noting that City of Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano had long wanted the properties examined.
“Katulad ngayon na gusto nilang tingnan lahat ng titulo, matagal na pong gusto ni Lani iyon,” he said.
Lacson earlier asked the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to trace the origins and history of titles covering properties in areas he linked to alleged illegal reclamation in Taguig. He said those responsible could face charges should authorities establish that the titles had been manipulated.
Cayetano, meanwhile, recalled that MAP Church had previously held one of its anniversary celebrations at the Lakeshore Tent, which has since been drawn into allegations involving supposed illegal reclamation.
“Natandaan ninyo po na doon kayo nag-anniversary isang beses sa Lakeshore Tent? Iyon po ang iniintriga ngayon,” he told the congregation.
“Iyon ang pinapalabas na illegal reclamation at pinapalabas na kinakamkam ko rin daw po y’ung iba para sa aking sarili. Pero ang blessing po ay marami kasing gumagamit at alam naman po na hindi amin iyon,” he added.
For Cayetano, the continuing scrutiny could ultimately result in additional land for the government should the allegations be substantiated.
“Ipag-pray nyo lang mga kapatid na ang mini-mean ng iba na harm ay mini-mean ni Lord para sa good,” he said.
