MANILA, Philippines - The government has moved anew the bidding for the lease of its Fujimi property in Tokyo, Japan.

A document from the government's bids and awards committee showed that the signing of the service development contract between the state and the winning bidder was moved to March 9 from February 23.

There are 6 interested bidders for the 50-year lease and development contract for the 4,361-square meter lot, a finance official has said. They should submit terms of reference and pre-qualification documents by February 15.

The bids and awards committee will then inform these bidders whether they are prequalified or not three days later.

By February 22, all qualified bidders will have to submit their technical and financial bids.

The government failed to sell the Fujimi property last December 2, citing "technical problems."

Finance undersecretary Estela Sales did not elaborate on the so-called problems encountered by the government's bids and awards committee, but she said it had nothing to do with the petitions filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to stop the bidding.

A group led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. had asked the SC to stop the lease of the Fujimi property, saying it has significant cultural and historic value.

Cultural workers and Japanese artists have also expressed their opposition towards the planned lease.

The government expects to raise between P3 billion and P5 billion from the lease of the property, which was purchased for the Philippines by then President Jose Laurel when the country was under Japanese occupation during the second world war.