By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — Contrary to what was reported in a local newspaper here, Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson did not have a “change of heart” with regards to the planned filing of case against SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
“I was always against the filing of any case against SM,” Lacson stressed.
“There is no talk of filing a case against SM as far as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) is concerned,” he said. “Any case is not in the pipeline.”
SM has filed a civil case seeking the nullification of a deed conditional sale and contract between the provincial government and Ayala Land, Inc. involving a 7.7-hectare provincial government prime property here.
The government filing a countersuit against an investor will “send a wrong signal,” Lacson said.
Except that SM’s case will further delay the capitol-Ayala development project, “there is nothing (else) to get worried about,” he said.
Lacson disclosed that the Provincial Board has approved a resolution authorizing the committee on laws to review documentation in connection with SM’s case “to protect the integrity of the (Board) as an institution.”
“We will wait for the report of Board member Alain Gatuslao next week. I will not preempt his recommendations,” he said.
Provincial Board members were among the respondents in the civil case.
Lacson earlier agreed with the provincial government’s plan to bring the case up to the Supreme Court. That would be a “good move” because it will allow the high tribunal to rule on it with finality, he had said.
Gatuslao has said he was disappointed by the vice governor’s position. He believes SM was “harassing” the provincial government. “Private interests should not be above public interest,” he stressed./PN
