Architect arrested for alleged estafa

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 yesterday arrested an architect by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Silvestre Maamo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 for estafa.

Antonio Nacorda, a resident of Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla, was arrested by NBI agents led by Bernard dela Cruz and is now detained at NBI stockade.

Prosecutor Jay Paradiang recommended a P80,000 bail for the accused

Earlier, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office elevated the case to court after finding probable cause against Nacorda.

On Jan. 25, 2010, complainant Edwin Geonzon, represented by Jeffrey Ramos, said he gave P1,576,075 to the accused for the construction of a building in 9495 Ward 4, Barangay Poblacion, Minglanilla, but the accused failed to complete the said project.

Sometime in July 2010, the complainant said the accused “abandoned the project without notice”. He said he demanded the accused to fulfill his obligation under the agreement but he never did.

In his counter-affidavit, accused said Ramos has no personal knowledge of the transaction between him and Geonzon. He said Ramos has no authority to file the instant case.

The accused said he and Geonzon agreed to construct a three-story commercial/residential building. He said he prepared plans and the bill of materials and cost estimates to be submitted before the Office of the Building Official in Minglanilla.

The project has a floor area of 375 square meters and is estimated to cost P357 million.

He said the P1.5 million was applied to the materials and labor for the construction. However, he said on Jun. 10, 2010 his services were terminated by Geonzon, resulting in the non-completion of the said project.

In his three-page resolution, Paradiang said based on the evidence, accused did not deny receiving P1.5 million.

“What respondent denies is the misappropriation by him of the money, respondent stated that he used the money for the labor and materials for the construction of the three-story building. However, this is debunked by the complainant who spent a total of P975,812.96 for the unpaid salaries of laborers and unpaid but delivered construction materials,” the resolution read.

Paradiang said with that accused allegedly “mismanaged the funds” entrusted to him by Geonzon showing a prima facie case. (FREEMAN)