Cebu Official Warns Public Remarks Could Undermine P1.2B Tax Case Against Apo Land
A Cebu Provincial Board official has issued a stern warning that public comments suggesting the provincial government is losing its P1.218-billion tax dispute with Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) could significantly weaken the province's legal position. This caution comes as the Provincial Board (PB) reviews a proposed P211.56-million compromise settlement that would drastically reduce ALQC's tax assessment from the original P1.218 billion.
Premature Statements Could Prejudice Legal Position
PB ex-officio member Celestino Martinez III emphasized that such pronouncements are both premature and unnecessary while the PB continues to study the compromise proposal. In a detailed statement, Martinez expressed concern about the potential impact of these public remarks on the ongoing legal proceedings.
"My concern is the pronouncements being made publicly alluding to the idea that Province is on the losing end of the case which was both premature and unnecessary," Martinez stated. "Such statements place the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a difficult and potentially prejudicial position by creating the impression that the Province has no alternative but to accept the proposed P200 million settlement instead of pursuing the P1.2 billion obligation owed to it."
Martinez further elaborated that this narrative could seriously undermine the province's legal standing and compromise the interests that the Provincial Government is obligated to protect. The official stressed that any public discussion suggesting the province has already lost the case could influence negotiations and legal strategy negatively.
Compromise Proposal Under Review
The compromise settlement proposal, which has been endorsed by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, has been formally transmitted to the Provincial Board for review. Currently, the proposal is undergoing examination by joint committees before it will be presented for plenary discussion.
During the February 23 Provincial Board session, a resolution related to the matter was included in the agenda. Authored by Fourth District Board Member Nelson Mondigo, this resolution was deferred during the regular session, indicating the complexity and sensitivity of the ongoing review process.
The tax dispute represents a significant financial matter for Cebu Province, with the original P1.218-billion assessment representing substantial potential revenue. The proposed compromise settlement of P211.56 million would represent approximately 17% of the original tax assessment, making the review process particularly critical for provincial finances.
Martinez's warning highlights the delicate balance between public transparency and maintaining legal advantage in high-stakes financial disputes. As the Provincial Board continues its review, officials must navigate both the legal complexities of the tax case and the public perception surrounding the potential settlement.
