Provincial treasurer faces estafa charges

MANILA, Philippines - The Cebu provincial treasurer and his wife are facing estafa charges before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly failing to pay P1.8 million.

Leo Salubre, through his lawyer Roquesa Joyo, filed an estafa case against Roy Salubre and a case for violation of the Anti-Bouncing Check Law against his wife Janet.

Leo, a first-degree cousin of Roy alleged that last Aug. 3, Janet applied for a loan of P1.5 million with him and promised to pay in installment with interest and gave post-dated checks as her payment.

“Considering that Janet has no visible means of income as she is not gainfully employed, her husband Roy called me several times prior to and on the date of the released of my cash to her wife Jan et, assuring me that the foregoing checks are good and that the issuances of the checks is with his full knowledge and consent,” the complaint read.

Leo said when he presented the checks they were dishonored by the bank for insufficient funds.

“I was shocked upon learning that in contrary to assurances made by Roy that the account is not joint account of spouses Roy and Janet but a single account of Janet. This will clearly show of Roy’s involvement of defrauding me, taking advantage of our relationship as we are related by blood being a first-degree cousin,” the complaint read.

He added he asked Janet to redeem the checks and to pay P1,833,538 as the total amount in the checks the latter issued but he only got empty promises from the spouses, prompting him to hire a lawyer.

He said his lawyer sent a demand letter to Janet demanding her to make good of the checks but despite the receipt of the letter, Janet remained “stubborn and just ignored the lawful demand.”

He added because of the failure of Janet to settle her obligation he will now bring the matter to the court.

Roy yesterday refused to comment claiming he did not yet receive a copy of the complaint. —/BRP (FREEMAN)