THIS REFERS to the editorial “Empty houses” (Inquirer, 10/31/12). Apparently, it was based on the special report titled “Houses for squatters cost P2.8M each,” which was written by Maricar Cinco (Inquirer, 10/29/12). The distorted facts in that article regarding a relocation and housing project for those affected by the acquisition of the right of way for the LRT extension to Bacoor, Cavite, have besmirched my name and reputation.
The housing project was unfairly portrayed as overpriced at the cost of P2.8 million for every housing unit. This is utterly false, completely erroneous and totally malicious. The truth is, each unit costs only P201,100. The editorial took the dubious statements of the current governor of Cavite, Jonvic Remulla, who is my rival in the 2013 electoral contest for the gubernatorial post, hook, line and sinker. Governor Remulla maliciously misled the public by making it appear that all of the P500-million fund was used just for the construction of 180 houses. The fact is, the P500 million was legally and appropriately disbursed for the following expense items:
(a) The price of the 20-hectare relocation site (P125.5 million) and related expenses (P26.5 million);
(b) Land development—(i) Phase 1—earth works, site grading, perimeter fence, etc. (P93,893,398.60); (ii) Phase 2—road grading, installation of main water system and drainage system, etc. (P200,678,342.42);
(c) Construction of houses—initially 180 houses (P36,198,000).
I can attest, based on documentary evidence, that the disbursement of the P500-million budget for the relocation project was legal and was fully documented and liquidated with the appropriate government agency.
It is also important to note that the reason these “houses are still empty” is that the relocation project is not yet complete; it has still to proceed to Phase 3, which is the construction of the remaining 1,820 housing units on fully developed land.
I hope that through this letter, the erroneous allegations that Governor Remulla peddled will be clarified and corrected. It is obvious that Governor Remulla’s malicious acts are a desperate attempt to discredit, malign, besmirch and taint my good name, which is part of his early politicking gimmicks and election propaganda.
—REP. AYONG S. MALIKSI,
third district, Cavite
The story’s intention was never to besmirch the name and reputation of any party involved. The report was based on interviews and documents gathered from both camps of Cavite Rep. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi and Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla. It included how the P500 million was spent, as per the account of lawyer Charlene Hernandez, Representative Maliksi’s legal counsel. The story also noted that an audit team had recommended the reversal of the notice of disallowance it earlier issued against the congressman.
—MARICAR CINCO,
correspondent,
Inquirer Southern Luzon