Estafa charges filed vs fake architect

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation filed recently estafa charges before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office against a fake architect who collected almost P1 million for the renovation of a seafood restaurant along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City but failed to do the job.

NBI Special Task Force Special Investigator III Darwin Francisco identified the suspect as Elmer Coquia, of legal age, Filipino, businessman, owner and manager of E. Coquia Design Services of No. 37, 17th Avenue, Murphy, Quezon City. Coquia was charged with estafa as defined and penalized under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended.

The victim was identified as Josephine Mojica Tan, of legal age, Filipino, married, owner and proprietress of Aling Mahsya Seafood Restaurant, located at Lola Taba & Lolo Pato Seaside Seafood Paluto Restaurants, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City.

The incident happened in May 7 last year.

Investigations showed that sometime in January 2009, Tan and husband Roberto, owners of the Aling Mahsya Seafood Restaurant decided to renovate their restaurant, putting up a mezzanine for additional space.

Sometime April 2009, while Josephine and Roberto were in their restaurant, an old friend Renato Sanchez, overheard their conversation about the plan to renovate, and recommended Coquia.

On April 26, 2009, Coquia submitted his proposal covering the scope and specifications of his supposed work.

Coquia, in three separate collections, was able to get a total of P807,500 from the couple.

When the project for renovation was not being started, Coquia was given an ultimatum to finish everything by Sept. 23, 2009. This was extended until Oct. 30, 2009, but nothing was accomplished.

Upon verification by complainant Josephine with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Coquia was not in the database of licensed architects in the Philippines.

On several occasions, Josephine demanded for the return of her money, but the suspect failed to do so.

When invited by the NBI, suspect Coquia appeared with his lawyer Douglas Santiago and denied all the allegations.

During a record check, Coquia has also been charged at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Batas Pambansa (BP) 22, or the Bouncing Check Law. This was eventually dismissed.