by Rowel Montes
TACLOBAN CITY (TDN Special Report) – Former Leyte Third District Congressman Vicente Veloso has issued a strong official statement denying and criticizing allegations featured in the recent GMA Network documentary, “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS). The report had linked Veloso to controversies surrounding a Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) project in Barangay San Roque, Tacloban City, and alleged involvement in surrounding land seizures.
Veloso Clarifies District and Project Involvement
Veloso refuted any connection to the San Roque FMR project, pointing out a key geographic detail: “Barangay San Roque falls under the First District of Leyte, not the Third District” that he represented in the House of Representatives from 2016 to 2022.
Furthermore, he stressed his lack of knowledge regarding the project’s funding or construction, noting that he ceased to be a member of Congress on July 1, 2022.
Strong Denial of “Land Grabbing”
The former representative firmly labeled the accusation of “land grabbing” as “all lies and fake news.”
Addressing the complaint raised by Ms. Erlinda Bermudo in the KMJS feature, Veloso stated that the documentary presented inaccurate information about a prior dispute. He clarified that their historical disagreement was not in Tacloban, but centered in Sitio Picas, Barangay Guinciaman, San Miguel, Leyte.
He further contended that the long-ago issue was resolved in his favor. Veloso cited Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) Decision No. 12037, which dismissed the case brought by the Alyansa han Parag-uma ha Sab-a Basin (to which Ms. Bermudo belongs). The DARAB found that the group failed to prove legal ownership or rights to the land.
Veloso added a crucial detail from the DARAB ruling: the land referred to in the complaint was determined to be in the Palo section, near Sta. Fe and Tacloban City, and not in San Miguel, Leyte, where Veloso’s own land is situated.
Call for Journalistic Accuracy
Concluding his statement, Veloso urged GMA Network and “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” to correct the misinformation broadcast and to maintain accuracy and accountability in their journalism.