A provincial board member said Wednesday that the SP Committee of the Whole will examine a disputed land transaction involving an 88-million-peso lot purchase for a planned convention center in Panglao.
Board Member Atty. Benjie Arcamo said the committee should handle the matter because of its paramount importance.
The provincial government purchased the lot for P88 million pesos, but the purported owners are disputing the sale.
Arcamo said family members who claim ownership of the property will discuss the issue to resolve the dispute.
He said he was told that Nathaniel Arbutante possesses the lot title.
The person who transacted with the provincial government allegedly asked a court to issue a new title, claiming the original was misplaced, Arcamo said.
However, when the petition was filed, the court was already hearing another petition regarding the same lot, he said.
That case involved claims that one of the lot owners, Noel, had died.
The court asked the petitioner to explain the new title request because he allegedly had authority from Noel Arbutante in 2015, but Noel supposedly died in 2012, Arcamo said.
“The best thing to do was to scrutinize the titles first before engaging on lot sale,” he said.
Arcamo said if the lot owners cannot reach an agreement, there could be an opportunity to confront the parties involved.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing heirs of Francisco Arbolente had demanded an investigation into the Bohol provincial government’s controversial 88-million-peso land purchase, alleging fraud in the transaction for property designated for a convention center.
The Valera Acosta Tiu law firm, in a letter to Gov. Erico Aristotle Cabagnot Aumentado and other Capitol officials, accused officials of proceeding with a “fraudulent scheme” involving Lot No. 4006 in Barangay Danao, Panglao.
The 29,335-square-meter property was sold to the provincial government Dec. 23, 2024, through attorney-in-fact James Carpo Yu for P88,005,000 pesos, according to documents obtained by The Bohol Tribune.
The lawyers claim Gemma Arbolente Cubar “deceitfully misrepresented herself as an authorized representative of the heirs” and illegally transacted the property without proper authority.
They allege one of the supposed sellers, Noel Arbolente, had already died at the time of the transaction, making his participation legally impossible.
Nathaniel Arbolente, identified as the sole surviving heir, has publicly denied involvement in the sale and expressed shock at being named as a seller.
The law firm said pending legal actions have been filed against Cubar by Francisco Arbolente’s heirs in connection with “similar fraudulent conveyances of their other properties.”
BM Arcamo had warned the transaction could be annulled if irregularities are confirmed.
He said the validity of the special power of attorney used in the sale is questionable.
“If one of the Arbolentes did not sign the SPA, the document could be deemed defective, potentially voiding the sale,” Arcamo said during a radio interview.
The controversy had raised questions about the provincial government’s due diligence process involving taxpayer funds.
Reports indicate the transaction bypassed standard procurement protocols, including mandatory appraisals and proper due diligence procedures.
An estimated P5 million pesos in unpaid capital gains taxes has been flagged, according to investigative reports.
Junin Caberte witnessed the sale but allegedly was not authorized to serve in that capacity as he is not a provincial assessor.
Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay previously said there were no issues with the purchase, contradicting concerns raised by board members and legal representatives.
The disputed land was acquired for the planned Bohol Convention Center, described as a project of “significant public utility and benefit.”
The legal troubles have cast uncertainty over the development timeline.
The lawyers said that while their clients do not oppose the convention center project, “such a development must not come at the expense of private individuals, such as our clients, whose lawful ownership of the land is clearly documented and recognized.”
The law firm requested that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Provincial Governor conduct an immediate official investigation.
They are asking that any sale, payment or transfer of ownership involving the disputed lot be suspended pending a full inquiry.
The lawyers said they want the property transferred only to “the rightful owners — our clients, the Heirs of Francisco Arbolente.”
Arcamo said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the budget for the lot purchase but had no further involvement after authorizing the funds.
Governor Aris Aumentado’s office has not issued a public response to the formal legal demand for investigation.