Binay asks Asiatique owner to surrender, face raps

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay asked yesterday fugitive businessman Delfin Lee, owner of Globe Asiatique, to surrender and face the criminal charges filed against him.

Binay, chairman of the Pag-Ibig Fund and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify the manhunt for Lee and his co-accused.

“I appeal to the Philippine National Police to intensify efforts to locate and apprehend Mr. Lee. I also ask Mr. Lee to surrender and face the courts,” Binay said.

Malacañang had earlier offered a P2-million reward for the immediate capture of Lee and his cohorts.  

“The victims have long waited for the resolution of the case. We hope justice will be achieved soon,” Binay said.

Binay issued the call after the Supreme Court (SC) junked the petition filed by Lee, which sought to stop the Department of Justice (DOJ) from prosecuting him in connection with the syndicated estafa charges filed against him and other executives of Globe Asiatique Realty and Holdings Corp.

“I welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court that upheld the decision of the Court of Appeals, allowing the Department of Justice to prosecute Mr. Lee and his cohorts for syndicated estafa. This is a significant step towards achieving victory for the ordinary workers defrauded by Globe Asiatique,” Binay said.

Judge Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes of the San Fernando Regional Trial Court in Pampanga found probable cause against Lee and his co-accused last May 22 and issued warrants for their arrest, with no bail recommended.