Globe Asiatique’s Delfin Lee arrested

Rappler.com

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The fugitive businessman tagged in the P6-B Globe Asiatique housing scam is now being held in Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Businessman Delfin Lee, wanted by police for the P6.6-billion Globe Asiatique housing scam, was arrested on Thursday, March 6.

A reliable source in the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said Lee was brought to Camp Crame, Quezon City at around 7 pm.

Lee, owner of Globe Asiatique, and 4 others faced syndicated estafa charges filed by the Department of Justice over the alleged use of ghost borrowers to obtain P6.6 billion loans from Pag-IBIG Fund in 2009.

On November 7, 2013, the Court of Appeals dismissed the charges against Lee and barred authorities from arresting him.

In a 29-page decision, the appellate court nullified an order issued by the Pampanga Regional Trial Court that found probable cause to order Lee’s arrest.

The CA said Lee could no longer be prosecuted for syndicated estafa, which “must be committed by 5 or more persons.” It noted that one of Lee’s co-accused had been absolved by the CA.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima however insisted that the arrest warrant against Lee remained valid because the CA’s decision was not final and could still be appealed.

A hold departure order (HDO) prevents Lee from leaving the country.

Lee earlier asked the CA to lift the HDO, citing the dismissal of charges against him.

But the CA said it could not grant Lee’s petition for it was not included in his initial pleading before the court. 

In an ANC interview, counsel Gilbert Rapizos said Lee was invited to Camp Crame for clarification. He was neither handcuffed or read his rights. Repizo said Lee would be brought to Pampanga where his case was filed. – Rappler.com

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