Cebu Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco defended the Provincial Board’s review of a proposed tax compromise with Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), stressing that the process is part of the legislature’s duty to safeguard public funds.
Soco expressed surprise after Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro labeled him a “hypocrite” over the issue, noting that he had never before been described in such terms.
He emphasized that the review is not meant to challenge the authority of the governor but to ensure transparency and protection of public resources.
“This is not about war. This is about protecting the interests of the Cebuano people,” Soco said during a press briefing.
The controversy surrounds a proposed compromise settlement of P211.56 million, which is significantly lower than the P1.218 billion tax assessment previously issued by the province against ALQC.
Documents show the proposal reached the Sanggunian Panlalawigan on January 26, 2026, and was referred to the committees on laws and ordinances and ways and means for further evaluation.
A joint committee hearing was subsequently scheduled to review the details.
Soco clarified that the Provincial Board has not rejected the proposal but is carefully scrutinizing it.
He underscored that the funds involved belong to the public and warrant thorough examination.
As presiding officer, Soco noted that he cannot act alone and that the board functions as a collegial body, voting only collectively, with his own vote cast only in the event of a tie.
The governor’s accusation referred to a previous resolution authored by Soco that allowed former governor Gwendolyn Garcia to negotiate a compromise settlement with Dolomite Mining Corporation. Soco’s legal counsel, Georgia Herrera, explained that the earlier case involved only a minor adjustment of about P5 million, based on a miscalculation in the original tax assessment, making it fundamentally different from the current ALQC proposal.
Soco pointed out that the Provincial Board was not involved in negotiating the ALQC settlement and only received the proposal after the amount had been determined.
In past cases, the board typically authorizes negotiations before any compromise figure is finalized.
Beyond the current dispute, Soco highlighted broader fiscal concerns, noting that Cebu Province now operates on an P11.9 billion budget—less than half of the P25 billion enacted in 2025—with actual revenue collections estimated at only P8.9 billion.
He stressed that government officials must carefully manage funds and maintain accountability, particularly in times of tight budgets and significant public expenditure. (SBA)
