Better Late Than Sorry

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

It is better late than sorry!

I was vindicated by the progress of the anti-graft case filed by Iloilo Press Club President Rommel S. Ynion against mayor (now congressman) Jerry Trenas, et al, on the 16.2 hectares land purchased by the city government as a relocation site of squatters.

Cong. Trenas was the city mayor when this land deal took place in 2006. The lot owned by Marilyn Inocencio at San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City, was then valued at P2.7M. But after six days, it was bought by the city government for P63.2M. This is what got us so disgusted about.

The case filed by Ynion has triggered the Ombudsman to probe this transaction from where the subplot of bribery came into the picture.  Ynion, however, failed to include the real estate broker, Mr. Efren Gimeo, as accomplice of the crime.

Gimeo played a major role in this land-deal and should have been included in the graft case to shed light on who really get the big slice of the loot. In fact, it was Gimeo who exposed this grossly overpriced deal sometime in 2009.

He even claimed that NHA people have received money too. As to purpose, he has yet to say. But he depicted the boss in this land deal as the commander who saw to it that those who cooperated are rewarded and those who did not are discriminated against.

Taking all his words into consideration, it guaranteed a high level of collusion by public officials who overtly professed what they covertly undertake.  But he hits it right on target. There are now six officials in line to receive the spanking they deserved for their stupidity!

They are Cong. Trenas, City Assessor Nelson Parreno, City Treasurer Katherine Tingson, former ICUPAO head Roy Firmeza, City Councilor Ed Penaredondo and Marilyn Inocencio, the lot owner.

It took more than this writer to transform the issue into what it becomes today. A newspaper headline claims; Trenas Trial Begins, this recurring mess that had consumed the city for years now becomes a good case for the Ombudsman to deal with!

Ynion should also consider the case of Barangay Lanit, another relocation site of squatters. They say it was fully paid but not yet transferred to the name of the city government and something stinks. DAR has a lot of explaining to do in this issue.

A lot with market value of P2.7M bought by the city for P63.2M can drive the honest taxpayers to run amuck. The perceived injustice in this case fairly lies in “delayed decision” than erroneous, which can be appealed immediately.

Gimeo must also stand trial for the early resolution of this case. Going to Court for redress, is a privilege although sometimes, judicial remedies are subject to “over-use”, “misuse” or “abuse.” And this is what we feared most!

Look what the two Deputies of Ombudsman Monalisa ehe, este Merceditas Gutierrez have done to the Iloilo City Housing case. They can only say “SORRY,” but when offended, may prefer to accept money than apology!

If Cong. Trenas is a jar filled with water, they are the small hole under him. The runaround of the Pavia Housing case and the time-extension they gave him are perceived to have opened the hole for the water to trickle down. These expensive privileges will eventually empty that jar.

Some people risk integrity for greed of money. But if endangers to become the casualty, they will spend more to save integrity. Dose of own medicine, as it is written; “he who offends when drunk shall be punished when sober.” Now we see justice in this case. It maybe late but …... see the title!