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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Baricuatro defends proposed P211-M tax settlement with quarry firm

Baricuatro defends proposed P211-M tax settlement with quarry firm

Published Mar 11, 2026 06:38 pm
BARICUATRO (Cebu Province FB)
BARICUATRO (Cebu Province FB)
CEBU CITY – A “war” is brewing at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Wednesday, March 11, launched scathing remarks against Vice Gov. Glenn Soco over disagreement on the province’s proposed P211-million settlement with APO Land and Quarry Corp.
Baricuatro defended a proposed tax settlement in which APO would pay the province P211 million instead of P1.2 billion in tax liabilities.
Soco questioned the proposed settlement in a press conference the other day. It didn’t sit well with Baricuatro, saying the vice governor could have talked to her instead of calling for a press conference to discuss the matter.
“I don't know what he's trying to do. You want to go to war? Because I’m prepared to go to war,” a fuming Baricutaro said in a press briefing on Wednesday, March 11.
The governor pushed back against notions that the cement manufacturer was given special treatment in reaching the settlement.
Baricuatro narrated that lawyers from the quarrying firm approached her regarding the proposed settlement.
The governor said she decided against reducing the tax liabilities from P1.2 billion to P211 million covering 16 years.
However, the governor changed her stance when she was told that the local government cannot collect extraction fees from privately owned lots.
Baricuatro insisted that there was nothing irregular when the settlement was agreed. “As far as I'm concerned, my conscience is clear. There's no back door negotiation,” Baricuatro said.
The governor criticized Soco for questioning the deal when in 2023, the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) authorized former Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to enter into a similar compromise agreement with Dolomite Mining Corp. Soco was also part of the provincial board at the time.
Copies of the signed settlement and the SP resolution were furnished to the media, showing the mining firm’s obligation reduced from approximately P856 million to P56 million to be paid in staggered arrangements. “So, can you see the hypocrisy that’s happening here?” Baricuatro said.
Soco was asked to comment on the governor’s tirades against him but has yet to comment as of posting time.

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Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro Quarrying Vice Gov. Glenn Soco APO Land
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