Trillanes on controversial Batangas farm: Lavish, excessive, obscene

Published October 23, 2014 4:40pm

ROSARIO, Batangas—Lavish, excessive, obscene.

This was how Senator Antonio Trillanes IV described on Thursday the controversial property in Rosario, Batangas allegedly owned by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The senator said the property just showed the two worlds of Binay: one that's private where he lives like a king; the other public, where he projects a simple life.

“The main objective (of the ocular inspection) is for media to see the two worlds of Binay, one world, he pretends and he projects that he is pro-poor, coming from the poor, he looks poor, but in his secret world he lives in his kingly lifestyle,” he said.

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado accused Binay of owning the 350-hectare property while not declaring it in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Binay denied the allegation saying he just leased a part of the property for his piggery business and orchid farm. He added that he already divested his interest in the piggery business.

Tiu said that he was the owner of the property which is only 145 hectares, and not 350 hectares as Mercado claimed. He said he bought the property from Gregorio Laureano.

He plans to develop the property into the Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park, which will have a P100 entrance fee. He said some students were allowed to tour the park in the past but it was temporarily closed due to the controversy.

Trillanes said the property was originally meant to be a private resort and not an agri-tourism park.

"Nung unang punta ko rito namangha ako. I still am awed dahil hindi ko maisip na may ganitong lugar na hindi commercial dito sa Pilipinas," Trillanes told reporters.

"Di ba para kang nasa paraiso dito. The first time I went here (during the launch in August) nung makita ko yung pond, yung lagoon namangha ako. Tapos ngayon nakita ko itong main house. Tapos yung view, para kang nasa paradise," he added.

Tiu said the property couldn't be considered lavish as it still lacked amenities.

"Pag negosyo ang tinitingnan mo, kulang pa nga yung amenities pero kung sa private individual, lavish. Pero sa negosyo walang kwenta ito," Tiu told reporters.

Trillanes first went to the location and saw the property in August when businessman Antonio Tiu launched the agri-tourism park.

The senator said the property would not be profitable as a business.

“Heavy siya sa structure na hindi pang-turismo. Walang mga public toilets, walang mga kwarto for hotel. Kung kunwari magko-convention kayo dito wala kayong pagi-stay-an,” he said.

It was Tiu himself who toured Trillanes and the media around the property after the businessman's lawyer and security staff first barred their entry.

Trillanes and the media arrived before 12 noon but the guards told them there was no instruction to allow them to enter the property. The senator initially decided not to push through with the inspection after Tiu’s lawyer said that only the senator would be allowed to go inside.

During the Senate hearing Wednesday, Tiu agreed on the request of the senators to inspect the property.

The senator returned after learning that Tiu already arrived and allowed media to enter the premises for the ocular inspection.

The trader said he thought the Senate subcommittee would coordinate with him regarding the visit but Trillanes said there was no need as Tiu already gave his consent.

Tiu showed to the media the mansion which he said he planned to convert into a clubhouse. The mansion has four bedrooms with toilet and bath, a kitchen and a koi pond. It also has wooden furnitures.

Asked if the Binays stayed at the mansion, the businessman replied in negative.

“Nakita nyo naman kung conducive ba yun tirhan ng Bise Presidente o pamilya nya. So far wala naman (sa mansion nagi-stay) under my ownership, wala pa namang ganung request dahil nakita nyo naman yung mga room hindi ready for accommodation purposes,” Tiu said.

He also toured Trillanes and the media to the Bali-inspired pavilion, man-made lagoon, British-inspired garden, playground, aviary, a hotel, and orchid nursery being leased by Dra. Elenita Binay, wife of the Vice President.

“Hanggang ngayon (nile-lease pa rin nila). I have to respect the pre-existing lease na nainherit ko mula kay Mr. Gregorio pero syempre on a business side naman pwede tayo magrequest for increase in rental when the contract expires,” he said.

He said the Binays pay P90,000 a year as a lease for the nine-hectare orchid farm.

Asked if Mrs. Binay visits the orchid farm, Tiu said she did so more frequently than he did.

“I’m sure mas madalas siya kesa sa akin kaya hindi maiwasan na mapagkakamalan (na siya ang may-ari nito). Hindi mo pwede macontain na dyan lang sila kasi hindi naman binakod yung nine hectares,” he said.

A staff, who refused to be named, confirmed that their boss in the orchid farm was Mrs. Binay.

Tiu said the piggery is owned by Agri-Fortuna and is now managed by San Miguel. The access to piggery was limited due to biosecurity protocol. Those allowed to enter were sanitized to ensure that they will not bring in germs to the farm. Contrary to the description of Mercado, the piggery was not airconditioned. — RSJ/NB, GMA News

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