Guardo couple charged anew

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo and his wife, Sambag I Barangay Captain Ailien, were indicted by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office for failing to deliver a housing unit that their company has sold to a private individual.

The prosecutor’s office has found probable cause to charge the couple for violating Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code.

"There is sufficient ground to charge respondent Jerry Guardo not with estafa, but for other deceits under Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code," read portion of the resolution penned by Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan.

The case stemmed from the estafa case filed by Aldrina Alonzo against the couple.

Alonzo said she bought a house-and-lot in Phase 2 of Amber Homes in Talisay City and paid P480,000 to the developer Jacar Enterprises/Univille Homes which is owned by the couple.

But despite paying in full her equity in August 2017, the respondents allegedly failed to commence the construction of his housing unit until now.

Alonzo said she started paying her equity on September 10, 2015 after paying the P20,000 reservation fee to the councilor.

The councilor, who is seeking reelection, in an interview, said they will answer the case in court.

"I will face these complainants fairly and squarely in the proper forum. I believe in our justice system. The truth shall set me and my wife free from all these baseless accusations. I will not discuss the merits of my case because my lawyers are handling that for me," he said.

"The very reason why I am communicating to the electorate and to the public in general is to assert my innocence and maintain my good name," he added.

The councilor and his wife are also facing separate charges filed by Alex Tumulak Gacho Jr. last February 27, 2019.

Just like Alonzo, Gacho paid P460,000 in equity to Jacar Enterprises but his housing unit in Elena Homes in Barangay Kalunasan has yet to be built. The unit was purchased in 2016.

Gacho said he made several demands for the return of the amount he paid but the couple failed.

According to Gacho, the respondents made the assurance that the construction will immediately commence after paying the required 20-percent equity. He said he started paying his equity through installment in June 2015 until it was fully paid in May 2016. — KBQ (FREEMAN)