Furniture firm in graft case fires back at accusers

CEBU, Philippines —  Furniture company Heritage Muebles Mirabile Export Inc. said that its lawyers are now studying the possibility of instituting criminal, civil and administrative cases against those who “maliciously malign their names by perpetuating baseless accusations anchored on lies.”

In a statement, the company said that while it is their desire to answer the allegations hurled against them in the proper forum, albeit to this day they have not yet received a copy of the complaint, it is fitting for them to issue the statement in order to dispel the claims of the complainants who chose to publicly put them into bad light.

It can be recalled that seven barangay captains in Lapu-Lapu City who are acting as complainants led by Eduardo Cuizon, incumbent president of Association of Barangay Councils in the city, filed a graft and corrupt practices act and malversation of funds cases against Heritage officials, as well as Mayor Junard Chan and eight other officials/employees of City Hall, before the Office of the Ombudsman early this month.

 This after the city allegedly awarded P47 million worth of contract to Heritage in 2020, as well as non-food relief items for disaster victims worth P7 million, and supplies for COVID-19 facility worth P4,925,000.00.

Also in 2021, Heritage was allegedly awarded a contract worth P30 million for the food relief items and P5,975,000 for the food packs for 210 persons for 60 days.

Cuizon questioned why a furniture company was allowed to supply food items when it is not in line with their business.

Heritage said while it is into furniture business, it is also legitimately engaged in retail sales of goods and general merchandise, including essential and non-essential products.

This fact, it said, is stipulated as a secondary purpose as reflected in its Articles of Incorporation.

Contrary to the complainants’ claim, Heritage said that it maintains proper and valid documentation of procurement, fully compliant of the requirements with the Government Procurement Policy Board.

“This fact is backed by indubitable proof,” part of their statement read, adding, “we are confident that we have not made any infraction of the law”.

The complainants also said that Charles Lim, who is the chief executive officer of Heritage, is the husband of Sunshine Lim, who is an appointee of the mayor as commissioner of the City Tourism Cultural and Historical Affairs.

The complaint stated that the spouses Charles and Sunshine, through their company, clearly clinched these series of deals with the city government because of their close relations with the mayor.

“It is obvious that funds were released to a company which is not legally entitled to receive the money as such company is not in any way selling or producing what they purportedly delivered to the government,” the 24-page complaint read.

Heritage countered that their company is a separate juridical entity to that of Sunshine Lim being a tourism commissioner.

“In fact, the procurement and items subject of the complaint is in no way related to her office,” Heritage said.

Heritage added that to this day, they are greatly appalled by the allegation and actions of the complainants, which are best-gravely malicious and its timing extremely dubious.

“We are confident that the truth will dispel any allegation made against our company. In many years we conducted our business, we take pride in the fact that we have remained fair and honest in all our dealings. We trust in our justice system and the truth will be our guiding light,” Heritage further said. — JMD (FREEMAN)