OSG to review documents on illegally acquired land by Chinese citizens

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Tuesday said it would immediately review the documents regarding illegally acquired land by Chinese citizens that were turned over by the House Quad Committee.

“We’ll review immediately the documents turned over to us by the QuadComm, and then we’ll engage with other government agencies for further evidence gathering and case build-up,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said.

“Once we have gathered sufficient evidence, we’ll commence the appropriate legal actions, which may include civil forfeiture, reversion, escheat, cancellation of birth certificates, deportation, and criminal/administrative complaints,” he added.

On Monday, the QuadComm turned over to the OSG documents on the land acquisitions and properties believed to be "owned, procured, and acquired" by Chinese citizens.

The committee urged the OSG to file forfeiture cases against Chinese citizens who acquired land in the country despite the Philippine Constitution stating that foreigners are prohibited from owning land and are only allowed to own a business at 40% maximum.

This was after the QuadComm found out that several Chinese individuals, including one named "Willie Ong," who possesses up to 300 land titles, had acquired thousands of hectares of land in the province of Pampanga.

The QuadComm has been investigating irregularities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which employ Chinese citizens.— VBL, GMA Integrated News