Lee daughter not involved in estafa case - lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer representing Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp. criticized yesterday attempts by some sectors to drag the name of GA owner Delfin Lee’s daughter, Divine, saying she has nothing to do with the estafa case involving GA.

In an ABS-CBN talk show, Willy Rivera said Divine did not play a role in the management of the holding firm but is instead an officer of the GA Tower 2 Condominium Corp., which manages the condominium for the unit owners.

“This is but a malicious attempt to destroy the reputation of Divine, who has a budding career as a fashion model and television host,” Rivera said.

Divine is listed as an incorporator and a member of the board of trustees of the GA Tower 2 Condominium Corp.

Delfin; his son, Dexter; and two other GA executives are accused of approving fraudulent housing loans for Pag-IBIG Fund members, an accusation which has been strongly denied by GA.  

GA has appealed the arrest warrants issued by the San Fernando, Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 42 against the GA executives, who have denied the allegation against them.

The firm’s lawyers noted that Makati RTC Branch 58 issued a decision in a civil case on Jan. 30 stating that since Pag-IBIG approved the loans, the agency is liable for damages to GA. They said the San Fernando court cannot interfere with the decision of a co-equal court.

The lawyers said the San Fernando court issued the arrest warrants despite Pag-IBIG not paying the mandatory filing fee of P132 million, which is a requirement before a court can acquire jurisdiction in estafa cases.