Capitol open to buying new site for CPSU campus

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has expressed willingness to purchase a different property for the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) – Moises Padilla campus after withdrawing from buying the land currently occupied by the school.

Lacson told reporters Tuesday, “We are ready to pay the owner. This means we have the funds to purchase the property.”

Earlier, Lacson notified the property owner via letter that the provincial government would no longer pursue the acquisition due to the owner’s lack of cooperation in correcting deficiencies in legal documents and other issues.

Lacson noted that if another site is considered, the challenge would be constructing a new school building, which could cause delays despite the availability of funds.

He also said CPSU must now coordinate with the property owner and consult the Department of Education on how to move forward.

Previously, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz confirmed that the provincial government had backed out of purchasing the current CPSU-Moises Padilla campus site.

“Yes, we already sent a letter to the owner that we are backing out,” Diaz said.

Asked about the fate of more than 1,000 CPSU students, Diaz replied, “Well, there’s nothing we can do—it’s a legal issue that we can’t resolve if the other party doesn’t cooperate.”

“But the money is already available—PHP25 million,” he added.

Diaz said it might be better to build a new campus altogether.

To formalize the decision, Gov. Lacson sent a letter to property owner Francisco Nazareno stating that the proposed deed of sale involving a 20,000-square-meter parcel of land in Barangay 7, Poblacion, Moises Padilla, appraised at PHP25 million, is terminated.

The letter, dated July 28, 2025, was furnished to reporters.

In his letter, Lacson said, “Upon the recommendation of the Provincial Legal Office and following a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the transaction, the provincial government has decided to formally withdraw from all further dealings and to discontinue any intent to proceed with the said sale.”

The decision was based on several factors:

Failure to comply with legal and documentary requirements.

Despite multiple follow-ups and efforts to facilitate the transaction, Nazareno failed to submit the required legal and supporting documents.

Lack of cooperation and responsiveness significantly hindered due diligence.

Discrepancies between Nazareno’s declared Tax Identification Number and date of birth raised concerns about the accuracy of his personal and tax records.

Legal deficiencies in the executed deed of sale.

The deed was executed without the written consent of Nazareno’s spouse, despite being legally married.

Under the Family Code of the Philippines, transactions involving conjugal or community property require spousal consent.

As a result, the deed of sale is rendered void and without legal effect.

Adversarial and uncooperative conduct.

The provincial government observed that negotiations had become increasingly adversarial and unproductive.

Despite the province’s assistance with document preparation, property appraisal, coordination with CPSU, and initial BIR processing, there was no meaningful engagement from Nazareno’s side.

“In view of the foregoing, and taking into consideration your recent verbal manifestation that you no longer wish to pursue the sale, the provincial government finds no legal or practical basis to move forward with the transaction,” Lacson stated.

It may be recalled that Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo sought Lacson’s help after Nazareno reportedly asked CPSU officials to buy the property currently occupied by the university.

The land was previously covered by a 10-year usufruct agreement signed in 2007 between CPSU and the local government, then headed by original owner and former Mayor Francisco Nazareno.