BCDA shrugs off dismissal of court raps vs CJHDevCo

BAGUIO CITY – Executives of the state-run Bases Conversion Development Authority said Monday  they would pursue the remaining two malversation charges they filed against the private developers of Camp John Hay.

BCDA president Arnel Casanova shrugged off the dismissal of the 50 cases as he noted that the respondents were indicted on the remaining two malversation raps.

Casanova made the statement after the Department of Justice dismissed 50 of the 52 malversation cases it filed against Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) executives Russell Sobrepeña, Enrique Sobrepeña, Jr., Rafael Perez de Tagle, Jr., Gulshan Bedi, Raul Goco, Silvestre Bello III, Noel Cariño, Bobby Cafe, Dennis Ignacio, Manuel Ubarra, Jr., Ramon Cabrera and Heinrich Maulbecker.

Casanova expressed hope the government would win in the two cases.        

Prosecution lawyer Omar Cris Casimiro dismissed 50 of the 52 malversation complaints filed against CJHDevCo directors.

The decision was approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon.

Earlier, Casanova charged the CJHDevCo directors and officers for allegedly withholding income based on a leaseback agreement the BCDA entered into with the CJHDevCo for the operation of 26 hotel rooms at The Manor and The Suites, now renamed Forest Lodge.

Casanova demanded immediate turnover of the operation of hotel rooms from CJH DevCo.

The DOJ upheld the legality of the leaseback agreement in favor of the John Hay Developer, prohibiting a turnover of the management of he hotel rooms to BCDA until after the lapse of the 15-year lease period.

The DOJ said that while a case for malversation of public funds is possible due to the public nature of the property, the CJHDevCo could not be held liable for the charges as it suffered losses in the operations of the hotels.