The Department of Justice is ready to investigate allegations involving illegally reclaimed land and allegedly fraudulent land titles in Taguig City if formally asked to do so.
Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the allegations raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson are a matter of “high public interest,” but the DOJ must remain circumspect to avoid prejudging any complaint that may eventually be filed before the department.
“It’s certainly a matter of high public interest, but we would like to show circumspection because if a complaint or a final will be filed before the Department of Justice, then we would not be accused of prejudgment,” Dato said.
Asked whether the DOJ could assist the Office of the Ombudsman should Lacson’s referral lead to a request for help, Dato said the two agencies already have a mechanism for cooperation.
“The mechanism of cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice is already in place,” Dato said.
“So handa naman po ang departamento kung meron opisina na mag request for any investigation,” he added.
Dato said the cooperation is covered by a memorandum of agreement between the DOJ and the Ombudsman.
“But that mechanism is already covered by a memorandum of agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice. It is in place,” he said.
Lacson earlier said he had identified four parcels of allegedly illegally reclaimed land in Taguig covered by “fraudulently” issued titles, while at least four other parcels allegedly have no plotted title lots in the digital files of the Land Registration Authority (LRA), an attached agency of the DOJ.
The senator said the four allegedly fraudulent titles involve parcels covered by an administrative patent, judicial or ordinary land registration processing, a homestead patent and another transfer title, with areas ranging from 5,000 square meters to 193,027 square meters.
Lacson disclosed the details to support his allegations involving Taguig’s lakeshore development and counter claims that the issue was unfounded.#