More housing scam victims surface to file cases vs Delfin Lee

More victims allegedly scammed by Globe Asiatique Corporation founder and president Delfin Lee have surfaced to file cases against the now detained real estate magnate. A Tuesday report aired on GMA News' “24 Oras” said residents of Sta. Barbara Villas 2 subdivision in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file a complaint against Lee and his company, Globe Asiatique, for the alleged double-sale of their units. “Maawa ka naman Delfin Lee, umamin ka na sa kasalanan mo, ang dami namin na mga biktima dito o! Pati mga anak namin biktima mo,” said one complainant. According to the report, it was in 2004 when most of the residents started paying Globe Asiatique for the low-cost housing units in Sta. Barbara Villas II. But after several years of making payments they found out that another real estate company owned the land and not Globe Asiatique. The residents also complained that the titles of the properties they were paying for were also under other people's name. Suspecting that things may not be completely aboveboard, most of the residents stopped making payments to Globe Asiatique. This was when the residents started receiving Notices to Vacate from Lee's real estate firm. “Hindi naman namin alam na may problema pala ito, eh. Bakit naman kami bibili ng bahay na may problema,” said one complainant, Mary Anne Nocun. According to the NBI-Anti-Graft Division, if the residents' complaints are proven true, another syndicated estafa case might be filed against Lee. “Lumalabas ngayon na double-sale nga. Yung deceit dun papasok... tapos yung damage sa kanila, yung hard-earned money nila saan na napunta? Investment nila yun, eh,” said NBI Anti-Graft Division head agent, Atty. Rachel Marfil Angeles. Angeles encouraged other residents of Sta Barbara Villas 1 and 2 allegedly victimized by Globe Asiatique to coordinate with the NBI so that their complaints will be included in a consolidated case that the Bureau will file against Lee and his company. Meanwhile, Lee's lawyer, Atty. Willie Rivera, denied that there was a double-sale of units in Sta. Barbara Villas 1 and 2. In a statement sent to “24 Oras”, Rivera said only the buyers who no longer wish to continue paying Globe Asiatique as well as those who no longer have the financial capability to pay for their units were served with the Notice to Vacate. Apart from the Sta. Barbara Villas 1 and 2 in San Mateo, it was earlier reported that there were also alleged double-sale of units in Globe Asiatique's housing projects at Xevera Homes in Mabalacat, Pampanga; St. Monique Valais in Binangonan, Rizal; New Sta. Rosa Homes in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; and GA Tower in Mandaluyong. Lee, who is detained at the Pampanga Provincial Jail in San Fernando City for a P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case, has vehemently denied the allegations. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM, GMA News