HLURB: BF Homes exec made dubious transactions

Members of the management committee (mancom) created by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) are accusing United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) president Celso Reyes of engaging in allegedly questionable US dollar transactions.

In their report to the House committee on housing and urban development, the mancom questioned the purchase of $191,800 from Aug. 28, 2006 to Oct. 17, 2006 wherein 16 checks were issued for P9.7 million.

As supposed proof of US dollar transactions between the UBFHAI officials and Allied Bank’s BF Homes branch in Parañaque, mancom members presented copies of checks and noted that there were five instances that more than P1 million was disbursed in one day.

“Why does UBFHAI need to purchase US dollars?” they asked, noting that all checks issued to buy foreign currency were signed by only two signatories – Reyes and Ronaldo Mina, the secretary – and not Jaime Lazaro, the treasurer.

Mancom members also questioned a letter of authority that allowed one Reynante Medico, a messenger, to withdraw $32,435.94.

“The withdrawal slip is flawed in that only one signature appears on the spaces that requires two signatures,” the report said, noting that the letter to bank manager Daday Joson was signed by Reyes and Mina.

Because of these discoveries, the mancom is asking the HLURB to have the UBFHAI’s bank records open since the committee also found other supposedly questionable transactions uncrossed checks, instances wherein the association president was allowed by the bank to encash on his own, and substantial withdrawals under a 9999 code.

Reyes laughed at the allegations, saying that all the transactions were approved by members of the board and are not at all questionable.

He added that if the mancom’s accusations are true, then the HLURB should question the bank. He also said all UBFHAI funds are accounted for.

On the mancom’s claim that there were bank withdrawals wherein no checks were issued, Reyes said that simply “cannot be.” He said the only reason why those doing the audit found no checks is that they simply don’t have copies of the documents.

The stand-off between the two opposing groups who both claim control over BF Homes Subdivision was finally resolved following the release of a HLURB decision on the conflict, as announced by Vice President Noli de  Castro last Monday.

Reyes’ group had long been in battle with that of former UBFHAI president Rolando Navarro, who accused the other of misusing the association’s funds.

The mancom and Reyes’ group have been issuing separate car stickers for residents and non-residents who enter and exit UBFHAI’s six different gates, causing confusion among homeowners who are complaining over having to purchase two stickers.

BF Homes cuts through three cities – Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa – and is home to some 10,000 households or 75,000 individuals. 

But last Monday, De Castro, who also chairs the HLURB, announced that the Mancom should call for an election of a new set of officials following the conclusion of its two-month audit.

Mancom members – composed of lawyer Aristotle Sarmiento as chairman and members Lorenzo Cinco, Antonio Antonio, Santiago de La Cruz Jr., and Roberto Alfonso – were also tasked to continue exercising their mandate as UBFHAI caretakers until new officers are elected.

Reyes, however, said they will appeal the HLURB’s decision with the Office of the President.