Court orders Sobrepeña’s arrest

By: Amy R. Remo - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—A Pasay City regional trial court has ordered the arrest of businessman Robert John L. Sobrepeña after the Department of Justice indicted the chair of the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) in a P1.15-billion estafa case.

Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) chairman and CEO Robert John L. Sobrepeña. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The arrest was ordered by Judge Pedro de Leon Gutierrez, the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Saturday.

“With the warrant out, Sobrepeña is now a fugitive from justice until such time that he is arrested or posts bail,” said BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova.

In a resolution approved on June 10, justice department prosecutors found probable cause to charge Sobrepeña with the crime of estafa under the Revised Penal Code for alleged nonpayment of rent to the state development company.

Sobrepeña on Saturday assailed the DOJ resolution, claiming that his company had already paid 40 percent of what it owed the government.

The case covers only P1.15 billion, but CJHDevco allegedly owes BCDA at least P3.4 billion in unpaid rent for the lease of a 247-hectare area in the John Hay Special Economic Zone. This area includes the Manor, the Camp John Hay Suites and the golf course, among others.

“Contrary to CJHDevco’s claims, we consistently upheld our end of the lease contract and—on three occasions—even agreed to amend it at their behest to give the lessee ample opportunities to make good with their commitments. Little did we know, as the DOJ resolution points out, that their representations on their finances were fraudulent and misleading,” Casanova said.

“The real issue here is CJHDevco’s nonpayment of lease rentals to government while declaring dividends, extending cash advances and assignment of shares amounting to P1.274 billion to its stockholders in 1998 to 2000,” he added.

Casanova pointed out that the DOJ resolution was a “victory” for government and the people of Baguio City and the Cordilleras who are entitled to 25 percent or P850 million of the total arrears.

“BCDA is committed to collect what is due to the government under the terms of the contract. This resolution brings to justice BCDA’s claims against CJHDevCo,” he said.

The BCDA earlier claimed that CJHDevco had been delinquent in its payment of rentals and arrears for a 25-year lease, the agreement for which was signed in 1996.