Palace: ES Ochoa does not own mansion in QC

President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson on Thursday came to the rescue of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who was alleged to have excluded a P40-million mansion in Quezon City in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). A television network had earlier reported that a two-storey glass and concrete house in White Plains, an upscale Quezon City subdivision, was owned by Hedgerow Retain Holdings, whose incorporators were allegedly close to Ochoa. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Ochoa “has nothing to do with that property." “Let me state, that as far as the ES is concerned, the property is not in his name. It’s not registered in his name and therefore there is no reason why the property should be listed under his SALN," he said. Included in Ochoa's SALN were his house and lot and a condominium unit, both located in Quezon City.—Amita O. Legaspi/JV, GMA News