Estafa, plunder raps eyed vs Yolanda housing contractor

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers yesterday hinted at filing syndicated estafa and possibly plunder charges against the contractor of Yolanda housing units in Eastern Visayas for using substandard materials.

“If the evidence warrants, we will file plunder charges because this involves a series of transactions involving at least P50 million,” Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone told journalists in a news briefing.

Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development, said aside from syndicated estafa, they might file charges of perjury and breach of contract against the JC Tayag construction firm.

Benitez said the firm’s officials lied under oath during an inquiry on the alleged anomaly involving the Yolanda housing project. 

“I will personally file criminal charges against the contractor,” Benitez said, adding they would expand their probe to other Yolanda housing projects in the country.

The committee will also recommend terminating the contract with JC Tayag, citing delay in the project’s completion.