Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — Labor leader and presidential candidate Leody de Guzman cried foul over a real estate developer’s decision to deny him entry into a residential area involved in a land dispute in Antipolo City, Rizal.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, De Guzman was seen facing two security personnel of the Winning Homes Realty and Development Corporation, explaining why he should not be blocked from entering Audrey Heights Subdivision.
In the post, De Guzman said he was invited by the SAMAKABA of Sitio Banaba in San Luis, Antipolo City to hear his platform.
The presidential hopeful claimed he was blocked as the company wanted to avoid discussions about land issues.
“Ang mga residente ay mahigit 30 years nang nakatira sa nasabing lugar subalit nitong nakaraang tatlong taon ay inaangkin ng Winning Homes Realty and Development Corporation, na pagmamay-ari ng isang Edwin Alzona, ang lupang kinatitirikan ng kanilang mga bahay,” De Guzman said in the post.
[Translation: The residents have lived in the area for more than 30 years but for the past three years Winning Homes Realty and Development Corporation, owned by an Edwin Alzona, has claimed the land on which their houses stand.]
“Hindi pa final na sila ang may-ari, may labanan pa. May claim ang mga tao, may labanan pa, kaya walang finality,” De Guzman told the security guards.
[Translation: They are not yet the final owner, the fight continues. People have a claim, there is still a dispute, so there is no finality.]
Sought for the firm’s comment, an official said she was “surprised” about De Guzman’s attempt to enter the premises to launch a campaign.
Jennifer Alzona, marketing director of the company, clarified to CNN Philippines that the company has “nothing against” the presidential candidate.
But since the property is a “private subdivision”, she said De Guzman should secure consent to enter the premises from Winning Homes Realty and Development Corporation and the Audrey Heights Homeowners Assocation.
“We are saddened by the false and unfounded accusations from Ka Leody and his supporters,” Alzona said. “W believe that they are being misled by a few of the disgruntled informal settlers in the area that have been trying to oppose development in Audrey Heights, especially in continuing the previous developers work to finish roads and facilities that are also for the betterment of the community.”
“There are only a handful of these disgruntled persons amongst the 80 families that have agreed and have already been awarded relocation and now living peacefully within the subdivision,” she added.
