The Negros Occidental provincial government has formally terminated its negotiations for the purchase of the 2-hectare property where the Central Philippine State University (CPSU) Moises Padilla campus is located, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz confirmed Friday, August 8.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in a July 28 letter informed Francisco Nazareno Jr., owner of the property, of the provincial government’s decision to terminate the purchase of the 20,000-square-meter property in Barangay 7 Poblacion. Moises Padilla, which had been appraised at P25 million.
On the recommendation of the Provincial Legal Office and following a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the transaction, the provincial government has decided to discontinue any intent to purchase the property, the governor said.
He said the decision was based on Nazareno’s continued failure to submit the required legal and supporting documents, which has prevented the provincial government from moving the process forward. The lack of cooperation and responsiveness has significantly hindered the completion of the necessary due diligence, Lacson said.
“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 also informed Nazareno.
It has been noted that the Deed of Sale was executed without the written consent of Nazareno’s spouse, despite him being legally married, the governor added in his letter.
“In accordance with the Family Code of the Philippines, transactions involving conjugal or community property require such consent. As a result, the Deed of Sale is rendered void and without legal effect,” he said.
The provincial government has observed that the overall conduct of negotiations has become increasingly adversarial and unproductive, the governor noted.
This is despite the provincial government’s efforts to extend all necessary assistance, including the preparation of documents, appraisal activities, coordination with CPSU, and preliminary work for Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) processing, Lacson said.
There has been no corresponding effort or sincere engagement from Nazareno’s end, he said.
The governor said that, taking into consideration Nazareno’s recent verbal manifestation that he no longer wishes to pursue the sale, the provincial government finds no legal or practical basis to move forward with the transaction.
Diaz said Nazareno had stated he would not proceed with the sale because he wanted more for the property.
The provincial government could purchase another property for the CPSU Moises Padilla campus, Diaz said.
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo earlier said the 10-year Deed of Usufruct that allowed CPSU to use the property of Nazareno expired in 2017.
The CPSU Moises Padilla campus has 920 students enrolled in information technology, agri-business and education courses, CPSU president Aladino Moraca said Friday.
He is hoping that a solution to the campus problem can be reached, Moraca said.*