The Cebu Provincial Government has created a technical working group (TWG) to further study the proposed tax compromise agreement with Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), following the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) return of the measure for further review.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the proposal was not rejected but sent back to the executive department for additional study and clarification.
“Chill ragyud ko. I think it was taken out of context,” Baricuatro said.
“It was not rejected at all,” she added.
Baricuatro said the TWG will serve as a venue for deeper discussions on the proposed settlement, with the possibility of inviting both government representatives and ALQC officials to clarify key issues.
“Ang committee submitted a recommending that I create a technical working group to look into it,” she said.
The governor said the group will help address unresolved concerns, noting the importance of a thorough review given the scale of the case, which involves a tax assessment exceeding P1.2 billion.
“Only fools rush in, diba? We’re really looking into this… we want to be very elaborate on this one and make sure we’re doing the right thing for the Cebuanos,” she said.
The proposed compromise agreement, amounting to P211.56 million, had earlier drawn questions from board members due to the wide gap between the original assessment and the proposed settlement.
Some members also raised procedural concerns, including the absence of prior authority from the provincial board for the governor to enter into negotiations.
Despite this, the SP said it is not opposing compromise settlements in principle, provided these are fair, transparent, and legally compliant.
Baricuatro maintained there is no conflict between her office and the provincial board, saying coordination remains intact.
“Everything is okay between us, me and the board, no issue. We’re working closely together gyud,” she said.
She was joined during the interview by Board Members Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya, Atty. Olin Seno, Cesar Baricuatro, Raymond Calderon, and Atty. Nelson Mondigo.
Baricuatro also assured that the creation of the TWG will not affect the ongoing court case involving ALQC, which remains pending before a Cebu court.
“The case is always been there. So it was just a proposal… I think it shouldn’t get on the way, right?” she said.
The governor also addressed questions on the delayed designation of Vice Governor Glenn Soco as acting governor during her recent foreign trip, saying proper procedures were followed and that coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was observed.
“You know what, I did the right thing. Everything was legal. I was given approval according to travel by the DILG,” she said.
She attributed the delay to a communication gap within the DILG but stressed that governance was not disrupted, as succession applied by operation of law.
Baricuatro also defended her decision to travel during Holy Week, citing the need for work-life balance amid public pressure and criticism.
“No harms been done… work and life balance, kinahanglan sad ta mo unwind,” she said.
Despite the issues raised, the governor said she remains focused on her mandate to serve the province.
“But padayon lang gihapon ta… our mandate is to serve the people. So we are here to serve with a smile,” she said. (SBA)
Image: Cebu Province
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