By Paulo Loreto Lim

Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Paul Emler Clemente announced Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and 10 others are being slapped with criminal and administrative charges, pertaining to a land purchase made back in 2012.
According to a letter from the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, “The cases will undergo administrative adjudication and preliminary investigation.”
The governor is being brought up on charges in violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which pertains to giving preference and unwarranted benefits to private parties; along with grave misconduct and dishonesty.
The charges, filed by the Field Investigation Office (FIO), were made following a fact-finding investigation surrounding the purchase of around 150 hectares of land, located in Barangays Sta. Rosa and Canlandog, Murcia, from the heirs of the Arguelles family in March 2012.
Albert, George, and Gloria Arguelles are also being charged alongside the governor.
According to Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael Mariano, the purchased land falls under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and is subject for distribution.
“While it may be true that it now devotes the parcels of land purchased from Arguelles Family for public use and purpose, the implementation of CARP is also for public use and purpose,” the DAR secretary said.
He also noted reports of unjust evictions as the governor worked on developing his Negros First Ranch.
In response, farmers held a protest outside the Provincial Capitol for months. However, the structure built during their demonstration was recently taken down with the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit hosting meetings in Bacolod City this month.
According to DAR, farmers claimed Marañon allegedly resorted to harassment and intimidation.
The governor has since lobbied to have the land excluded from CARP, which was dismissed. He subsequently filed an appeal, which was also declined./WDJ