Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay has strongly defended the Bohol provincial government’s P88-million land acquisition for the proposed Bohol International Convention Center (BICC), asserting the transaction was “above board, transparent, and compliant with legal requirements.”
The province purchased the 29,335-square-meter lot in Barangay Danao, Panglao on December 23, 2024, amid what Lagunay characterized as a dispute between private parties that has since been resolved.
Lagunay said that the provincial government conducted full due diligence before the transaction, relying on official property records that clearly identified Castor Dompor Jr. as the registered and lawful owner for approximately 20 years.
“The Province acted in good faith and relied on the official records showing Mr. Dompor as the registered and lawful owner of the property, and no one else, as the certificate of title shows,” Lagunay stated.
He confirmed that Dompor has formally validated the sale and met with provincial officials “several times” to discuss the transaction, underscoring the legitimacy of the dealings.
According to Lagunay, the government verified that the title was clean, with no encumbrances or pending litigation at the time of purchase.
The province paid P3,000 per square meter for the 2.9-hectare property, with 50 percent already disbursed and the balance to be paid upon title transfer.
While the Valera Acosta Tiu law firm, representing supposed heirs of Francisco Arbolente, has raised concerns about the transaction, Lagunay noted that competing claimants have resolved their issues privately with the registered owner, though he did not provide specific details.
The legal officer’s position is clear: provincial records show Dompor held the title for two decades, not the Arbolente heirs making the current claims.
The planned BICC is designed with a seating capacity of 5,000 to 8,000 and aims to host national and international gatherings to boost the provincial economy.
The national government is expected to fund the access road to the facility.
Provincial officials have described the project as having “significant public utility and benefit” for Bohol, positioning it as a key infrastructure development for the province’s economic growth.
The government maintains its position that all legal protocols were followed and that the transaction stands on solid legal ground based on verified official records and proper due diligence procedures.