BAGUIO CITY – The city prosecutor’s office recommended the filing of syndicated estafa charges against a fake colonel and nine other employees of an alleged Ponzi firm operating in the different parts of the region after finding probable cause against them pursuant to the pieces of evidences submitted by seven initial complainants.
In a 4-page resolution penned by Assistant City Prosecutor Ramsey Wynn S. Sudaypan, the indicated officers and employees of the Greenwealthgold group of companies were Richard Rodique Garcia, who introduced himself as a colonel and claimed to be the co-owner of several companies, Richard Cortes, Bernadette Carandang, Cynthia San Jose, Princess Carla Picato, Christine Rejano, Jane Candelaria, Rachell dela Cruz, Daisy Pacyado and Ramil dela Cruz upon the complaint of Gener S. Quinio, who hails from Saddle, Km. 26, Atok, Benguet.
From the pieces of evidence presented by the parties, Sudaypan said there was probable cause to indict the aforesaid individuals for syndicated estafa in relation to Presidential Decree (PD 1689 since they had induced the complainant and they succeeded to make him believe that they are in a lucrative business.
He added the complainant relied on their pretenses that his money would earn 35 percent with their company, Greenwealthgold group of companies, and that they deceived the complainant misrepresenting to him that they have the business capacity to produce high rates of return on his investments when in fact, they knew that they could not do so and had no intention of at least trying to do so, and that their only purpose was to convince him to give to them his money and once in possession of the same, they would use it for their own personal benefit as they did as they never paid him back.
Further, Garcia was also indicted for violation of the provisions of Article 179 of the Revised Penal code because he claimed to be a colonel with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and he displayed publicly his pictures in full PNP uniform and which he is not actually a member.
Quinio alleged that he met Garcia on April 28, 2015 who subsequently introduced himself as a colonel and claimed to be the co-owner of the several companies with one Richard Cortes. They are the president and manager, respectively, of their companies. One of the companies which they are operating is the Greenwealthgold group of companies, an investment company with office at Room 302 2nd Floor Ramon and Delfina Building, Lower Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.
According to Quinio, it was Cortes who explained to him that if he places his money for one month, it would yield 35 percent, for three months, it would yield 105 percent, for six months, it would yield, 210 percent and so on.
He subsequently sold his taxi and invested with the respondents P273,500 on April 2015 and was made to sign a contract wherein he was considered as investor No. 0000007103.
Quinio expected to receive his profit or earning in the amount of P95,725 and his capital investment in the amount of P273,500 on June 2, 2015 but when the due date came, the respondents took turns in convincing him to renew his investment and stood firm and demanded his money back until no actual payment ever happened.
Aside from Garcia and Cortes, Quinio cited the staff in the company who usually gave orientations/seminars to new investors, processed documents and are signatories to some of the documents issued to the investors..
Sudaypan explained the allegation of the respondents in their joint affidavit were not supported by pieces of evidence and that there was no evidence presented as to the earning of the business and how the business is producing these earnings and whether it really is capable of paying back the investors and paying the interest of 35 percent per month, 105 percent for three months and 210 percent for six months.
He cited the certificates issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DIT) and local business permits are just tools to entice the public considering that the pieces on evidence showed the respondents conspired to entice complainant to invest his hard earned money with them.
In a certification issued by Senior Inspector Lambert Acop Grad, chief, PARMS of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera, it stated that based on all available records on file, Richard Rodique Garcia have no records in the said office, thus, the filing of charges of illegal use of PNP uniform and insignia has sufficient basis.
By Dexter A. See
