NHMFC employee nabbed for extort

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested an employee of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) in an entrapment operation for allegedly demanding money from a Bulacan homeowners’ association in exchange for the release of payments for lot purchases.

The NBI arrested Nestor Favila of the Community Home Mortgage Task Force based on the complaint which Vice President Noli de Castro, concurrent chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), received from Leonila Bitacura, treasurer of the NAIS Homeowners Association Inc. of Cacarong Matanda, Pandi, Bulacan.

Favila, who is now in NBI custody, will be charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

De Castro said his office has been receiving complaints against certain people in the NHMFC who allegedly demanded money from groups of landowners and homeowners.

"Apparently, some people or groups who have pending applications with the Community Mortgage Program are being asked for grease money before their checks can be released," he said.