MABALACAT, Pampanga — Residents of barangay Bundagul here are planning to file malversation charges against Vice Mayor Noelito “Noel” Castro in connection with the alleged illegal purchase of a lot in the village during his term as barangay captain.
The residents were disappointed to find out that the 534- square meter open basketball court is owned by Castro. They were deprived of at least P3.5 million of funds from Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla who wanted to fund the construction of a covered court there.
The lot should be in the name of Barangay Bundagul and not in an individual person’s before Revilla could fund the construction of a covered court using his Priority Development Assistance Fund.
“Nakapangalan kay Castro ang lupa subali’t ang ipinambili rito ay pera ng barangay. Ito ay ayon na rin sa ibang opisyal ng barangay. Malinaw na agaw-lupa ito,” said the residents.
Bundagul barangay officials, including the treasurer, reportedly told residents and town officials that the funds used to buy property was taken from the village’s coffers.
“Hindi naming maintindihan kung paano napunta ang pagmamay-ari ng lupa kay Castro,” a barangay tanod said.
The residents said they will seek the help of the National of Bureau of Investigation to ascertain how the lot came to be a property of Castro.
In documents obtained last week, Castro and a certain Concepcion couple entered into an amicable settlement under Civil Case No. 1420 in 1999. The Concepcions agreed to sell the property to Castro for P115,000.
A Transfer of Certificate of Title No. 537888 showed that Castro was the owner of the property used by the village for sports and other activities.
Another document showed that Castro intended to donate the property to the Bundagul village council on May 7, 2012.
“Amin naman talaga yan, inagaw lang. Ngayon gusto pang palabasin na dahil sa maganda niyang kalooban ay magkakalupa ang Bunadagul,” a barangay kagawad said.
“Talagang kailangan siyang papanagutin sa pag-aagaw ng lupa ng barangay.” Castro was a barangay captain of Bundagul from 1997 to 2004.
