Filcom rejects ConGen transfer
The SunCommunity leaders who gathered for the Leaders' Forum on July 8 expressed support for the Consulate's rejection of a proposal to transfer the Consulate from its present premises in Admiralty to Sheung Wan.
"We are committed...to stay in the United Centre," said Consul Vic Dimagiba, following numerous prodding from leaders to talk about the Consulate's position on the matter.
The issue was first reported in The Sun, which managed to gather voluminous documents showing how certain groups have been trying to get the Department of Foreign Affairs to agree to terminate the so-called lease-purchase contract over the United Centre property.
Under the deal signed five years ago, the Consulate agreed to purchase the premises for $71.71 million plus interest, with 15 months advance rental amounting to more than $10 million being paid upfront.
By the end of the 12-year lease-purchase deal, the DFA will own the property. The registered landlord (or "confirmor" as stated in documents with the Land Registry), Bel Trade Investment Holdings Limited, has no right to terminate the deal at will, unless the DFA defaults on the monthly payments.
In exchange for agreeing to set aside the United Centre contract, the DFA is being offered another lease-purchase deal over eight floors of the Guangdong Finance Building in Sheung Wan. Bel Trade is also offering to rename the building "Philippine Center."
More than two years since the offer was first made, the Consulate, through Consul General Alejandrino A. Vicente, recently recommended that the offer be rejected, saying it will be highly disadvantageous to the government.
Despite this, migrant groups are saying the issue should have been presented to the community.
"Sana magkaroon ito ng paglilinaw at sana hindi kami magising isang araw na naibenta na ito," said Rowena dela Cruz of Migrante.
"Maapektuhan ba kami o hindi, maganda man yan o hindi dapat alam namin," she said.
"Ano ba ang dahilan?," asked Albert Laconsay of the Filipino Migrants Workers Union.
Still others even pushed: "May matitipid ba? Saan mapupunta? Sa bayan ba o sa bulsa ng iilan? Magkano ang porsiyento ni Ablan?"
Consul Dimagiba was straight to the point.
"This proposal is unsolicited. The Consulate did not seek this proposal. This was thrust on to the Philippine Consulate and the Philippine government."
He explained that the Consulate's position after doing its own study is that the offer is disadvantageous to the Philippine government and added, "This property is for us to own."
However, the final answer remains to be seen as the decision rests on the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Romulo, who has yet to approve or reject the Consulate's recommendation.
"But we have made a strong representation to Secretary Romulo. This proposal as it is should not be accepted," said Consul Dimagiba who gave his piece of advice:
"But, as I understand that the Filipino community is very concerned about it. At tulad ng naisulat na may interest group na nagla-lobby ng issue, kayo din mag-lobby [against it]," he added
As if acting on cue, Laconsay stood up to announce that they can form the Coalition Against Bentahan which was received with a loud applause.
