BIZ BUZZ: Sobrepeña eyes deal with Sta. Lucia group
If there is one trait that defines Robert John Sobrepeña, it’s that he is not the type to just walk off into the sunset.
On the contrary, he is constantly on the lookout for the next best deal, as observers put it.
That is perhaps why he and his officials were seen over the weekend doing the rounds at Pinewoods in Baguio City and in animated discussions with some members of the Camp John Hay Golf Club, including former Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan.
Biz Buzz sources privy to the discussions said that Sobrepeña was looking to forge a partnership that will in a nutshell allow Camp John Hay Golf Club members to enjoy privileges at Pinewoods, the only Par 72-rated golf course in Baguio City.
Pinewoods, one of the three golf courses in Baguio City, boasts of magnificent mountain views and wide open areas and a popular restaurant, Manduto Cafe and Restaurant.
Pinewoods opened in 2014 and is one of the 11 golf clubs developed by Sta. Lucia Realty.
Incidentally, Sobrepeña is also looking to have golf course maintenance equipment and some 60 golf carts pulled out of Camp John Hay to be used at Pinewoods.
The Sobrepeña group is pursuing the deal after being booted out with finality from Camp John Hay, following the Supreme Court decision that reverted ownership to the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
Not everybody, however, is happy about the possibility that the Sobrepeña group will have a new home at Pinewoods.
One reason is that the Sta. Lucia group might get embroiled in the legal wranglings that continue to hound the controversy-ridden Camp John Hay deal.
At the same time, some members of Camp John Hay were left more concerned about the fate of their shares and their dues that had already been paid to the Sobrepeña group prior to the BCDA takeover.
Despite these uncertainties, discussions with Sta. Lucia will apparently continue.
Will they end up in a way that will make Sobrepena happy again after that heavy loss delivered by the Supreme Court? Abangan!
