BULL's HIT

Rudy Garcia
Who owns the Baguio SM lot?

BAGUIO CITY -- In his privilege speech last Aug. 11 during the city council’s regular session, councilor Thomas Rocky Balisong delivered his part II privilege speech regarding the disposition of public lands in Baguio which he said is a big puzzle to officials and constituents of the city.

He said there was a seeming conflict of titles between the government itself and a government agency which is the GSIS regarding the actual metes and bounds of OCT number 1 -- some portions more particularly lands along Gov. Pack Road just below SM city of Baguio and fronting the Sunshine Park where the new building of SM investment corporation was erected.

Cutting it short, the good councilor suspects that there are defects in the awarding of the lots in favor of SM which appears to be disadvantageous to the government the same that the parcels of land awarded to SM are the same parcels of land which is now titled in the name of the heirs of Placido Carantes.

The question now, he said, is what could be the effect of the titles issued in the name of heirs of Carantes on the application of the SM over the same parcels of land. Hence, Balisong added: What will prevail between an order of award issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in favor of SM and a title issued by the Land Registration Commission in the name of the heirs of Carantes duly registered at the Registry of Deeds of Baguio?

While Balisong could be in good faith and has good intention, it puzzles me though why he was only blowing the whistle now when he should have done this before on his first term as a city councilor.

Call it chance, but this was answered when I happened to meet him along a corridor at city hall two days after his privilege speech. He said what he is saying now are based on the documents he just discovered and there are more to come and he is now bent on finding out the real truth on this matter of concern no matter how difficult this is for him. He further said that he will reveal all his findings on his future privilege speeches.

Somewhere along the line, Balisong is now doing what is deemed proper for this seemingly mysterious acquisition of government lots by a multi national company but I just wonder why he or his colleagues or even the city government are reluctant in filing a case for the court to determine whether there is a probable cause to establish the veracity of this paper trail for trial.
Anyway, it’s but proper for us to wait for the next move of Balisong or the city government regarding this matter. I hope they will act appropriately the soonest. Daig kasi ng maagap ang masipag, mahirap na ang magsisi sa huli.
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As I write this column, Typhoon “Karen” is moving out from the Philippines northwest of Luzon to nearby Hongkong. Based on a report of the National Disaster Coordinating Council there was one casualty and another one in serious condition in a hospital of the Baguio.

This, aside from others who sustained injuries brought about by landslides particularly at Pinsao, Ambiong, Sta. Scholastica and Hillside. I salute all the staff and volunteers of the NDCC for their efforts in rescuing and giving assistance to victims and placing their lives at risk to protect others lives and properties. Kudos sa inyo mga living heroes!

Typhoon Karen also gave prolonged holidays to students and public employees. Classes were suspended Wednesday and Thursday while government offices declared half day off Wednesday afternoon. Students enjoyed their holiday Thursday when their classes were suspended despite the good weather.

Is the Pagasa again to be blamed for this kapalpakan, the Department of Education or local officials? But who cares? Parents like me are happy to see children playing around, but I guess, operators of computer or internet shops are more happy taking advantage of those kids who are addicted to playing games at their computer units for hire.

Anyway, even if there are classes, these computer establishments are raking in a lot of income from those kids who skip their classes just to play. And where are the authorities? Poor parents, they are trying every means to make both ends meet not knowing their children are slowly losing grip on the rope to guide them to the right direction for their future because of their addiction to these games.
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If reports are true that this new barangay captain in a barangay along the central business district of Baguio is being selective in monitoring and implementing local ordinances to establishments under his turf, more so if his establishment has no permit and allows illegal gambling inside, then, this bocap should be investigated together with some top city officials and members of media who are allegedly protecting him and his alleged illegal activities.

However, reports have it that he allegedly stopped his activities upon learning that maybe a raid or inspection was on the offing. Malakas talaga ang radar at timbre kaya nakalusot si Kupitan. But we will not let them operate unnoticed. For sure, we will keep on strictly monitoring the place, and I would bet, maaalisan din sila ng mascara one of these days.