Alvarez confirms owning properties in Siargao, blames Floirendo for spreading rumors
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Alvarez confirms owning properties in Siargao, blames Floirendo for spreading rumors
RG Cruz,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 21, 2018 08:09 PM PHT

MANILA - House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday confirmed long time social media scuttlebutt that he has vast landholdings in Siargao Island.
MANILA - House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday confirmed long time social media scuttlebutt that he has vast landholdings in Siargao Island.
Alvarez, however, stressed that these properties were acquired while he was not in government service.
Alvarez, however, stressed that these properties were acquired while he was not in government service.
Alvarez was congressman from 1998 to 2001 when he was appointed Transportation Secretary. In 2002, he returned to the private sector.
Alvarez was congressman from 1998 to 2001 when he was appointed Transportation Secretary. In 2002, he returned to the private sector.
"Kas matagal na panahon na ako ay maraming properties diyan. Namimili ako diyan, kahit wala ako sa gubyerno as early as 1996 wala pang kuryente doon nandoon na ako kaya I was able to accumulate several properties in Siargao. Mura lang naman 'yung properties diyan nung araw eh wala pang kuryente. Ngayon kung sino may diskumpiyado sa sinasabi ko eh magtanong kayo sa mga residente noong area kung nagsasabi ako ng totoo o hindi," he said.
"Kas matagal na panahon na ako ay maraming properties diyan. Namimili ako diyan, kahit wala ako sa gubyerno as early as 1996 wala pang kuryente doon nandoon na ako kaya I was able to accumulate several properties in Siargao. Mura lang naman 'yung properties diyan nung araw eh wala pang kuryente. Ngayon kung sino may diskumpiyado sa sinasabi ko eh magtanong kayo sa mga residente noong area kung nagsasabi ako ng totoo o hindi," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Tanong mo kay Cong. (Francisco Jose) Matugas, alam nila 'yan. Sa akin naman ganito kung sinasabi nila akin itong property akin ito, basta akin 'yan, I will not deny akin 'yan sasabihin ko," Alvarez added.
"Tanong mo kay Cong. (Francisco Jose) Matugas, alam nila 'yan. Sa akin naman ganito kung sinasabi nila akin itong property akin ito, basta akin 'yan, I will not deny akin 'yan sasabihin ko," Alvarez added.
Alvarez blamed the social media rumor on his political nemesis, Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo.
Alvarez blamed the social media rumor on his political nemesis, Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo.
"Ganito 'yan. Sabi ko nga sa kanila ang talagang may pakana niyan itong si Cong. Tonyboy Floirendo. Sabi ko if you have the goods file the case," he said.
"Ganito 'yan. Sabi ko nga sa kanila ang talagang may pakana niyan itong si Cong. Tonyboy Floirendo. Sabi ko if you have the goods file the case," he said.
Alvarez, however, told his critics not to attribute to him properties that are not his.
Alvarez, however, told his critics not to attribute to him properties that are not his.
"Pero 'pag hindi akin wag naman nila ipilit kasi magmumukha akong landgrabber niyan. Hindi Floirendo apelyido ko para maging landgrabber at kung ipipilit nila na tanggapin ko akin 'yun, bilihin nila doon sa may-ari at ibigay nila sa akin tatanggapin ko. Ganun lang kasimple 'yun," he said.
"Pero 'pag hindi akin wag naman nila ipilit kasi magmumukha akong landgrabber niyan. Hindi Floirendo apelyido ko para maging landgrabber at kung ipipilit nila na tanggapin ko akin 'yun, bilihin nila doon sa may-ari at ibigay nila sa akin tatanggapin ko. Ganun lang kasimple 'yun," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also urged his critics to file a case against him if they think he violated the law.
He also urged his critics to file a case against him if they think he violated the law.
"Ngayon kung tingin nila I violated a law, 'yung anti-corruption then magfile sila ng kaso. Gusto ko siya mismo magiging complainant. Gaya ng ginawa ko nakita ko siya nagviolate ng batas ako mismo ang complainant, hindi ako nagtago," Alvarez also said.
"Ngayon kung tingin nila I violated a law, 'yung anti-corruption then magfile sila ng kaso. Gusto ko siya mismo magiging complainant. Gaya ng ginawa ko nakita ko siya nagviolate ng batas ako mismo ang complainant, hindi ako nagtago," Alvarez also said.
Alvarez was referring to the graft case he filed against Floirendo before the Ombudsman for the allegedly anomalous joint venture agreement between Floirendo’s TADECO and the Justice Department for a banana plantation in the Davao Penal Colony.
Alvarez was referring to the graft case he filed against Floirendo before the Ombudsman for the allegedly anomalous joint venture agreement between Floirendo’s TADECO and the Justice Department for a banana plantation in the Davao Penal Colony.
HOW MANY PROPERTIES? ALVAREZ MUM
The Speaker refused to say how many properties he has in Siargao, but said he will show his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in court shoul a case be filed against him.
The Speaker refused to say how many properties he has in Siargao, but said he will show his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in court shoul a case be filed against him.
He also issued a warning to his critics.
He also issued a warning to his critics.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Ako wala ako itinatago sa SALN ko, 'yun ang masasabi (ko). At the right time pag may nag-file ng kaso ilalabas ko lahat pero make sure tama ang ifa-file mo kasi kung 'di babalikan kita ng kaso," he said.
"Ako wala ako itinatago sa SALN ko, 'yun ang masasabi (ko). At the right time pag may nag-file ng kaso ilalabas ko lahat pero make sure tama ang ifa-file mo kasi kung 'di babalikan kita ng kaso," he said.
Alvarez also dismissed claims he has P500 million worth of properties in Siargao.
Alvarez also dismissed claims he has P500 million worth of properties in Siargao.
“Alam niyo yung P500 (million), pine-presume nila na P15,000 per square meter ang value ng property. Maaaring isang area sa Siargao, P15,000 pero ang laki ng isla na 'yan. Hindi P15,000 lahat 'yan. May P100, may P200, may P1,000, may P2,000 hindi lahat ng areas P15,000. At saka 'yung sinasabi nilang 'yan ang value, 'yun ang value sa isip mo. Eh kung walang bumili 'yan ba ang value, magiging actual value 'pag binenta ko 'yan at 'yun 'yung tinanggap kong presyo sa buyer ang problema nila," he said.
“Alam niyo yung P500 (million), pine-presume nila na P15,000 per square meter ang value ng property. Maaaring isang area sa Siargao, P15,000 pero ang laki ng isla na 'yan. Hindi P15,000 lahat 'yan. May P100, may P200, may P1,000, may P2,000 hindi lahat ng areas P15,000. At saka 'yung sinasabi nilang 'yan ang value, 'yun ang value sa isip mo. Eh kung walang bumili 'yan ba ang value, magiging actual value 'pag binenta ko 'yan at 'yun 'yung tinanggap kong presyo sa buyer ang problema nila," he said.
Alvarez also clarified why he met with the DENR regarding land in Siargao.
Alvarez also clarified why he met with the DENR regarding land in Siargao.
"Pinepreseume nila kung ano ano yung meeting na 'yan, ni-request ko kasi magtatayo tayo ng international airport, ililipat 'yung airport. Ngayon ililipat sa bagong location kasi nga hindi na kaya expand yung airport napakaliit at saka 'di maganda alignment ng runway ngayon," he said.
"Pinepreseume nila kung ano ano yung meeting na 'yan, ni-request ko kasi magtatayo tayo ng international airport, ililipat 'yung airport. Ngayon ililipat sa bagong location kasi nga hindi na kaya expand yung airport napakaliit at saka 'di maganda alignment ng runway ngayon," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT