Firm files estafa case vs. bank employee

A charge of estafa has been filed at the city prosecutor's office against a bank employee for allegedly collecting monthly rentals from the occupant of a building that he constructed on a lot he allegedly claimed as his own despite a company's claim of ownership of the property.

The firm, Cebu United Investors Inc., represented by Ruperto Zamora and Bernardo Zamora, president and corporate secretary, respectively, yesterday filed the case against Emmanuel Quinan, Jr., a bank employee.

The complainant said the firm is the real owner of the 430-square meter lot in the city, and alleged that Quinan falsely pretended as its owner, constructed a building on it without the firm's knowledge and had it rented to the occupant, Violy Tanudtanud, who operated an eatery.

For a period of one year, Quinan allegedly collected P3,000 in monthly rent from Tanudtanud, then increased the rent to P3,500 that he kept on collecting until now, said the complainant.

The complainants said they demanded from Quinan the reimbursement of P78,000 in total rentals collected but the latter allegedly refused to do so.

They alleged that Quinan constructed the building even without a building permit.

Falsely pretending to possess the property and collecting rentals of the structure he illegally built, is a crime of estafa punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, said the Zamoras.

Aside from the criminal case the firm filed against Quinan, an administrative complaint for grave misconduct and dishonesty was also filed against him to the management of the Philippine National Bank for which he has been an employee.

In a letter-complaint addressed to lawyer Teofilo Arnado, Jr., of the PNB Legal Unit for Cebu and Bohol, the firm's officials urged the bank management to conduct the necessary investigation and impose appropriate sanctions against Quinan. - Fred P. Languido