Apura accused of ‘land grabbing’

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged inheritor to a lot in Carcar City is accusing Mayor Nicepuro Apura of “land grabbing” but the mayor was quick to label this as a form of “harassment” against him.

Marlene Entienza, 48, a teacher at Ocaña National High School in Carcar City, claimed that her parents Ernesto and Brenda Cantiberos owned the parcel of land located in Sitio Lamacan, Barangay Valladolid.

Lots 1498 and 1499 were previously owned by the late spouses Francisca Sabanal and Alfonso Cantiveros.

Entienza claimed that sometime in 2014, Ernesto gave P25,000 each to her six sisters who are living in other provinces in exchange for their respective shares of lot from their parents.

For reasons of love, gratuity and generosity, the siblings executed waiver of rights and interest over the parcel of land in favor of spouses Ernesto and Brenda.

But sometime in 2017, Entienza said they were surprised to learn that Ernesto’s siblings sold the land to Apura without proper notice.

Apura reportedly bought Lot 1498 with an area of 3,281 square meters at P150,000, and Lot 1499 with an area of 3,828 square meters at P200,000. Entienza, however, said she secured copy of the deed of sale for Lot 1499 showing that Apura bought the land at P1.2 million.

The deed of sale, notarized on January 25, 2017, was signed by Roseminda Dela Cerna, Cecilia Cuizon, Carmelita Dela Cruz, Erlinda Dela Peña and Josefina Gadores and Fenmure Cantiberos. There was no signature of Ernesto.

Entienza further alleged that on November 8, 2017, Apura’s son John Anthony and his bodyguards went to their house demanding them to vacate while Ernesto was already bedridden. She claimed that at least 32 coconut trees and some fruit trees were cut.

Entienza said Apura did not have clearance from the Philippine Coconut Authority to cut the trees.

She said they have been receiving demand letters to vacate the land until Mayor Apura himself went to their house on May 31, 2018 and a confrontation ensued.

Apura explained that sometime in February 2017, the six Cantiveros sisters offered to sell their shares of the two lots, excluding the share of Ernesto, following alleged refusal of Entienza to accept the summon of the barangay for possible settlement.

As some of the heirs were coming from distant places like General Santos City and Cavite and Ernesto and his family refused to settle, Apura said he found no more reason to prolong the stay of the legitimate heirs.

“So the sale of the 6/7 share was consummated except the 1/7 share of Ernesto Cantiveros of the two lots. It was not included in the sale,” Apura said.

Since he owns the property where the house of Brenda Cantiveros is located, Apura said that as per advice of his lawyers, he summoned and demanded them to relocate and even offered relocation to them at his own expense but Entienza reportedly refused and insisted that they own the property.

“I gave them all my documents. The best evidence is the document but giiingnan lang ko na wala koy obligasyon nimo sa paghatag sa akong dokumento,” Apura said.

Apura added that he felt harassed being the new owner of the property and insulted being a mayor by the actuations of the family.

Entienza said she will file various charges before the Office of the Ombudsman anytime soon against Apura. — JMD (FREEMAN)