THE controversial gold bracelet that is under the custody of the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office has finally found its righteous owners.
The Cebu City government is convinced with the documents of ownership for the 18-karat gold bracelet presented by the siblings Sabino and Victor Chua. The City Legal Office has carefully scrutinized the affidavits of the owners and is “convinced” and “impressed” with the merit of their claim.
The P200,000-worth bracelet will be returned to the brothers after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will release the order.
According to the Chuas’ affidavit, their dead mother Paulita Dy-Chua owned the gold bracelet. The brothers said their mother kept the bracelet in the pocket of one of her old dresses.
Victor said that on April 5, he and other employees of the Cathay Hardware, which the brothers owned, disposed of their old clothes to sidewalk settlers along Plaridel Street. The dress with their mother’s bracelet went the Heide Cabanes, wife of one of the sidewalk settlers along the street.
Cabanes, in turn, gave the dress with the bracelet to Lorelie Pongcol, a Pasil resident. Pongcol discovered the bracelet with her live-in partner and pawned it for P50,000.
On April 6, police received a report of the pawned item, recovered the bracelet and informed the Chua bothers.
The Chuas also attached the affidavits of Cabanes and Julius Padillo, a security guard assigned near the Cathay Hardware, to support their claim. The request was forwarded to the City Legal Office.
City attorney Joseph Bernaldez said all affidavits were authentic. He said City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva, who is taking custody of the bracelet, is ready to release the bracelet.
Last month, at least 4 people claimed ownership of the bracelet when it was still at the custody of the Thief and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office./Fatrick Tabada Correspondent