Court orders arrest vs Globe Asiatique owner, others

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—The San Fernando, Pampanga Regional Trial Court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Globe Asiatique (GA) owner Delfin Lee and his co-accused for syndicated estafa in relation to the questionable P6-billion loan given to their buyers by the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMC/PagIbig).

Pampanga Court Judge Amifaith Fider-Reyes issued the warrant of arrest against Lee and his co-accused.

Lee’s co-accused include Dexter Lee, son of Delfin and GA’s executive vice-president, chief finance officer; Christina Sagun, former head of Gas Documentation Department; Cristina Salagan, head of Gas Accounting/Finance Department and lawyer Alex Alvarez, manager of the Foreclosure Department of Pag-IBIG Fund.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also chairman of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council said he was told that Reyes initially deferred the issuance of the warrants and directed the prosecution team to present additional evidence. However, upon the prosecution’s inquiry, it was discovered that the court staff did not disclose to the judge that there were six boxes of evidence in court.

“After reviewing the pertinent evidence, Judge Reyes issued the warrants of arrest. We were informed that the court staff are now required by the judge to show cause why they should not be penalized for the non-disclosure,” the Vice President said.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the HDMF against officials of GA and HDMF who conspired to use fake borrowers to become “instant” Pag-IBIG members that would obtain housing loans. However, the borrowers had no intention of buying housing units at Xevera Bacolor in Pampanga.

In June 20, 2008, HDMF entered into an Agreement with GA for the piloting of the special membership program through the Xevera Bacolor Project.

In the span of two years, GA was able to obtain more than P6-billion loans from Pag-IBIG Fund representing 9,951 accounts, which after confirmation showed that some purported buyers have no knowledge of having availed of the loan.

“The widespread operation of the ‘special buyers’ scheme in the company, not to mention the number of the accounts involved which, according to witnesses…are even more than the regular buyers, as well as the huge amount involved as being indicative and sufficient proof of the existence of a conspiracy, and the participation of the indicted individuals therein,” the DoJ stated in its resolution that approved the filing of the case against Lee and several others.