Glenn to Pam on review P211-M tax compromise: ‘This is not about war’

Local

CEBU Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco said the Provincial Board was only doing its duty to protect public funds after Gov. Pamela Baricuatro publicly called him a “hypocrite” over a proposed P211-million tax compromise with Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC).

Soco insisted that his criticism of the settlement was about procedure, not personal conflict.

“I was shocked to hear that comment. It was heavy because it comes from our Chief Executive, the Governor of the Province of Cebu,” he said.

He defended his actions by pointing to his own resolution under former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, which only authorized negotiations with ALQC, unlike Baricuatro’s current proposal, which already set a specific settlement amount.

Soco stressed that each case should be evaluated on its own merit, and his position was intended to protect the province’s interests, not provoke conflict.

Baricuatro cited Soco’s previous support for a similar compromise with Dolomite Mining Corporation under former Governor Garcia as the reason for labeling him a “hypocrite.”

In 2023, the Capitol reduced Dolomite Mining Corporation’s P855.9-million tax assessment to about P56.39 million through a compromise agreement approved by the board.

The recent dispute centers on a proposed reduction of ALQC’s alleged P1.218-billion tax liability covering a 16-year period to P211,560,530.35.

Members of the Provincial Board were reportedly surprised when the proposal reached them, as they had not been consulted during the initial discussions.

Soco said the board’s review would be conducted through its joint committees on laws, ordinances, and ways and means.

He emphasized that the board would examine the settlement carefully and approach the matter with an open mind.

“This is not about war — this is about protecting the interest in the Province of Cebu,” he added.

Baricuatro said the negotiations did not originate from her office, noting that ALQC approached the Provincial Legal Office while the case remained pending in court.

“No, it’s not the legislative body, it’s Glenn per se,” she said, clarifying that her criticism was directed at Soco personally and not at the Provincial Board.

She rejected any suggestion of a “backdoor deal,” asserting that her conscience was clear and that the compromise with ALQC was reached through proper channels.

The ALQC settlement followed months of court-supervised mediation under the Philippine Mediation Center, which began in August 2025.

Initial offers of P6.18 million and P10 million were rejected, as were revised proposals of P51.56 million in October and P150 million during mediation hearings in December.

After ongoing discussions, both parties finally agreed in January 2026 to the P211.56-million compromise.

Soco highlighted that the board’s intervention was intended to ensure the settlement was fair and reasonable, emphasizing that public funds must be protected.

He also noted that the situation should not create lasting division between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government.(MyTVCebu)