Former BF Homes exec faces estafa raps

Former United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) president Celso Reyes is facing estafa charges before the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Branch 196 Judge Brigido Artemon Luna II recently issued a warrant of arrest against him for the alleged misuse or misappropriation of P1,059,702 during his incumbency.

Retired colonel Rolando Navarro, incumbent vice president of UBFHAI, said Reyes and eight other respondents are out on bail after posting P40,000 for each of the five counts of estafa lodged against them.

According to the complaint filed by State Prosecutor Arlie Ramos of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the respondents allegedly misused and misappropriated the UBFHAI’s funds, which was supposed to be for the administration of benefits of BF Homes Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa residents.

Navarro, as one of the complainants representing members of UBFHAI, the biggest homeowners’ association in the country, said he filed another P15-million estafa case against Reyes before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last Wednesday.

The charges stem from allegations that Reyes and his officials misused funds during their term.

Reyes was eventually replaced by Leon Arcero in an election last April. Reyes had tried to prevent the election because it was conducted by a management committee created by Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. He said the HLURB had no authority to do so.

He lost the battle all the way to Malacañang since no less than Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Manuel Gaite dismissed his appeal last May 26.

Reyes, in defense, said the charges, allegations of graft, and attacks being launched against him are all politically motivated.