• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is no longer interested in purchasing the two-hectare lot owned by the family of former Mayor Francisco Nazareno, where a Central Philippine State University (CPSU) campus is located in Barangay 7, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his letter to Francisco Nazareno Jr., said the provincial government has decided to formally withdraw from all dealings, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Legal Office.
The decision to withdraw stemmed from failure of the seller to comply with legal and documentary requirements, legal deficiencies in the executed deed of sale, as well as their adversarial and uncooperative conduct, according to Lacson.
The provincial government had earlier agreed to purchase the 2-hectare property for P25 million.
Despite numerous follow-ups and efforts to facilitate the transaction, Lacson said the continued failure of Nazareno to submit the required legal and supporting documents has prevented the provincial government from moving forward with the process.
“The lack of cooperation and responsiveness has significantly hindered the completion of the necessary due diligence. Furthermore, discrepancies between your declared Tax Identification Number (TIN) and your date of birth have prompted concerns about the correctness and consistency of your personal and tax records,” the governor said in his letter to Nazareno Jr.
It was also noted that the Deed of Sale was executed without the written consent of his spouse, and that the overall conduct of negotiations has become increasingly adversarial and unproductive.
Despite its efforts to extend all necessary assistance, including the preparation of documents, appraisal activities, coordination with CPSU and preliminary work for processing with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, there has been no corresponding effort, or sincere engagement on your end, Lacson further told Nazareno.
The 10-year Deed of Usufruct of the campus, executed between then Mayor Nazareno and CPSU, which allowed the school to use the property, expired in 2017.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz Jr. said the provincial government will look for property to purchase where the CPSU satellite campus can be relocated.
More than 1,000 students are enrolled at the CPSU satellite campus, who are residents of Moises Padilla and neighboring local government units, according to Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia Yulo.
It offers courses in education, agribusiness, and information technology, among others.*
