MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte played salesman during a public speech on Wednesday, August 30, as he declared the Mile Long property is now up for grabs.

“Mile Long is up for sale. As for the price, I’ll let the government experts determine it,” he said during a speech in Taguig City.

Mile Long is the 2.9-hectare property in Makati City which had been controlled by Prieto-owned Sunvar Realty Development Corporation. 

After a decade-long legal battle, the Prietos decided to give in to the government’s demands by vacating the property. (READ: Mile Long tenants to Duterte: Please help us)

Duterte said he will use the money from the Mile Long sale for government housing projects.

“I’m selling it and I’m using the money to fund the housing projects of the National Housing Authority,” he said.

According to the President, more resources are needed to build new houses for soldiers and police, after he allowed urban poor group Kadamay to occupy homes in Bulacan meant for the troops.

Duterte said that if he were not president, Mile Long would likely not have been returned to government.

Before Sunvar Realty waved the white flag, Duterte had been threatening the Prieto family and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which the family owns. The Prietos are in talks to sell their controlling stake in the newspaper to businessman Ramon Ang, a friend of the President’s.

Duterte also used his speech to warn companies and wealthy families against taking over government property.

“If you are squatting on governtment property, please return it on time to me because there is a law, it’s called economic sabotage, and if your act or acts fit into that law, you can be very sure I will file a case against you,” he said.

“There’s no bail for that and you will rot there for the time I am president and even thereafter.” (READ: Duterte wants to sue Prietos, Rufinos for ‘economic sabotage’) – Rappler.com