Three more private companies represented by Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Eric Singson filed estafa charges against officials of the Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) for allegedly misleading them to pay almost P72 million for properties that are supposedly good for 50 years.

The complaining companies, Stern Realty and Dev’t. Corp., Mehaan Cellars, Inc., and Ilocos Coastal View Resorts Inc.  (ICVRI) came to know that the existing contract of lease of CJHDevCo with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority is for 25 years only, and not until 2046 as claimed.

The complaint stated that CJHDevCo through Gulshan Bedia alias Shean Bedi approached him sometime in December 2008 and offered to sell to ICVRI all the properties, assets and goodwill of his corporation, the Baguio Resources and Management Inc. with a promise that CJHDevCo has an existing lease contract with BCDA that will expire on Oct. 19, 2046.

The complaint also claimed that CJHDevCo Chair Robert Sobrepeña, Shean Bedi, and one Thelma Lauño conspired in selling Lot 1 of Eco Village for almost P14M.

It also alleged that Sobrepreña, Bedi, Lauño and Alfredo Yñiguez conspired in the selling of Lots 1, 1-A, 3, 4 also at the Eco Village for P7.780M, P11.440M, P15,713,250 and P17,688,600, respectively.

The complaint claimed that the three family-owned companies purchased the properties after they were made to believe the marketing promise of the respondents that CJHDevCo has an existing 50-year contract with BCDA.

“The complainants would not have bought the leasehold rights and parted with their money had they known that the contract between CJHDevCo and BCDA is only for 25 years although renewable for another 25 years,” reads the complaint.

The complaint added, “The evident bad faith of all the respondents is clearly shown by the fact that they only mentioned to the complainants that CJHDevCo’s contract with BCDA will expire on Oct. 19, 2046, intentionally omitting and not mentioning the fact that it only has a 25 year contract renewable for another 25 years at its option.”

To recall, a family from South Korea also filed estafa charges against 11 CJHDevCo officials after they were also made to believe that the leasehold rights of their purchased condominium is for 50 years.