Boston, Massachusetts – Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Jejomar C. Binay today described the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to indict Globe Asiatique (GA) officials and a Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) lawyer for syndicated estafa as a big boost to the Aquino administration’s campaign against corruption.
The Vice President also said the government has a very strong case against officials of GA, led by its president Delfin Lee.
“Before we filed the case in October 2010, I reviewed the evidence and personally talked to our witnesses. I have always maintained that we have a strong case against GA,” Binay said.
He also expressed hope that the Ombudsman would similarly issue its recommendation on the GA case.
Pag-IBIG Fund had submitted to the anti-graft body all documents related to the GA case last year.
“The DOJ’s decision is an important first step in giving justice to the hardworking Filipinos whose dreams of owning their own homes were dashed by greed and deceit,” Binay said.
“Likewise, it is a big boost to the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption drive. Members of Pag-IBIG Fund can now rest assured that the new leadership is determined to protect their interest and the integrity of the Fund,” he added.
The DOJ had recommended the filing of syndicated estafa charges against Delfin Lee; his son Dexter Lee, executive vice-president, chief finance officer, treasurer and board member; Christina Salagan, head of Accounting/Finance Department; Christina Sagun, head of Documentation Department; and Atty. Alex Alvarez of the Pag-ibig Legal Department and manager of the Foreclosure Department.
Binay last year ordered Pag-IBIG to investigate reports that the property developer was able to siphon off over P6.6 billion in loans from the agency by using ghost borrowers and fake documents, and was double-selling its housing units.
In October 2010, Pag-IBIG filed charges of syndicated estafa against Lee and other GA officials, along with an officer of the agency, before the DOJ.
Other alleged victims of “double sale” came out and also filed charges of syndicated estafa constituting economic sabotage against GA officials.
Binay thanked Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva for upgrading the case and Prosecutor General Claro Arellano for approving the recommendation. A DOJ panel had earlier recommended downgrading the case to simple estafa.
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