The Commission on Audit has junked a petition filed by a private individual seeking payment from the local government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao of P806.31 million for the lease of a property in Panglima Estino town, Sulu in 1976.
COA’s Commission Proper rejected the claim filed by Jaafar Saidil Jalalia for lack of basis.
Based on court records, there was a one “Jalalia” who was declared owner of Lot no. 205 in Panamao, Sulu with an area of 173,954 square meters by the Court of First Instance, Sulu. Panamao was later renamed Panglima Estino.
On Sept. 28, 1995, a woman named Saragiya Saidil filed a petition for the reconstitution of the property title before Branch 3 of the Jolo Regional Trial Court, claiming to be the niece and only surviving heir of Mora Jalalia.
The original certificate of title over Lot No. 205 was not, however, found with the registry of deeds as Saidil claimed losing her own copy during an armed conflict between rebels and government forces in Jolo.
On Aug. 18, 1997, the lower court junked the petition and on Nov. 28, 2011, it also rejected Saidil’s appeal, saying her right to the property was not sufficiently established.
Despite the court decisions, the petitioner still executed a special power of attorney in favor of her son, Jalalia, on Aug. 18, 2010.
Jalalia sought payment of back rentals on the property and sent demand letters to the Department of Interior and Local Government in ARMM, Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Treasury, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court and even the Office of the President.
“First, the money claim is insufficient in substance. Moreover, the petitioner’s claim is merely based on his assertion that he is the son of the reconstituted owner of Lot No. 205. Evidently, his claim is not clearly established,” COA’s resolution read.