Pag-IBIG clarifies CA decision

MANILA, Philippines–Pag-IBIG Chief Executive Officer Darlene Marie Berberabe on Thursday responded to news reports saying that the Court of Appeals found her and the members of Board of Pag-IBIG liable to Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corporation.

“This is a gross distortion of the decision of the Court of Appeals. The court never said that Pag-IBIG or any of its officers is liable to Globe Asiatique,” Berberabe said in a statement e-mailed to media organizations.  “The CA simply said that the RTC Judge of Makati did not abuse his discretion when he denied  Berberabe’s motion to dismiss the case filed by Globe Asiatique against the Pag-IBIG Fund and its Board.”

In her petition, Berberabe claimed that the Board cannot be sued because it has no legal personality of its own. This specific case was never about the merits of the civil case filed by GA against the Fund.

Clarifying further, Berberabe said that the case filed by Globe Asiatique is still pending before the Makati court. She also said that she has already filed a motion asking the CA to reverse its decision.

It will be recalled that Pag-IBIG Fund earlier filed a non-bailable syndicated estafa case against Globe Asiatique’s owners Delfin Lee and Dexter Lee where warrants for their arrest have been issued, in connection with a P6.6 billion loans Globe Asiatique obtained from the Fund.

In retaliation, Globe Asiatique filed a case for damages before the Makati trial court against the Pag-IBIG Fund and its officers to force the continued implementation of the loans.