Ousted Camp John Hay developers indicted for fraud

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Criminal charges “for other deceits” have been recommended against two officials of the Camp John Hay Development Corp. who were ousted from the CJHDevCo in January.

Robert John Sobrepeña and Ramon Jimenez, former head and member of the CJHDevCo board, respectively, will be charged for violating Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale of hotel units.

Prosecutors of the Baguio Municipal Trial Court charged Sobrepeña and Jimenez for selling the rights of units 549 and 554 of the Forest Lodge Hotel to Mojica and Erwin Galang.

The supposed sale reportedly occurred from December 2023 onwards, with the lease period to end on October 2046.

The complainants allegedly paid P11.2 million to Fil-Estate Management Inc., (FEMI), which was represented by Jimenez.

State prosecutors said that Sobrepeña, Jimenez and FEMI accepted the payment despite  “knowing that their representations were not true because they concealed the original lease agreement.”

The prosecutors said other agreements between the CJHDevCo and the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) were already rescinded even before the developer renewed the lease period for the control of Camp John Hay.

The prosecutors said they found sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against Sobrepeña and Jimenez for the crime of “other deceits.”

The offense is punishable with one to six months in prison and a fine of up to twice the amount of the damage caused.

In January, the Supreme Court ordered the control and supervision of the Camp John Hay returned to the BCDA.

In April, the Department of Justice created a task force to investigate alleged fraudulent activities committed by CJHDevCo and its affiliates.