KAWIT, Cavite – The Commission on Audit (COA) has uncovered shocking lapses in the management of over P136 million worth of land assets in Kawit LGU under Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo raising alarms about potential legal disputes and lost government ownership due to untitled properties.

In its latest report, COA revealed that six parcels of land purchased by the Kawit Municipal Government, valued at P11.36 million, remain untitled and unregistered in the municipality’s name.

These properties, which include land used for vital public facilities such as the municipal hall, schools, and road widening projects, have been flagged as vulnerable to third-party claims and court litigation.

One of the most notable parcels involves 7,805 square meters in Batong Dalig, where the municipal hall stands. Despite its fair market value of P8.41 million, the property was neither formally transferred to the municipal government nor recorded in the official books of accounts. The title for this property contains an annotation as a “Lost Title,” complicating ownership claims further.

The COA report said that the lack of proper titling exposes these properties to potential legal challenges from heirs of previous owners or third parties, jeopardizing public infrastructure and municipal operations.

The audit revealed that the Kawit Municipal Government currently accounts for a total of P136.2 million in land assets. However, the six untitled properties were not included in this figure, leading to an understatement of the municipality’s total assets.

COA also noted violations of accounting and legal requirements, including the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual (GAAM) and the 1987 Administrative Code, which mandate that government-acquired lands be fully documented and titled to establish ownership.

Auditors said that the failure to act decisively on COA’s findings could leave Kawit taxpayers burdened with potential legal costs and lost public assets, making the resolution of this issue a test of incompetence of Aguinaldo’s administration.