Board drops Byron as subdivision president

THE Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board in Central Visayas nullified the election of Byron Garcia and other officers of the Corona Del Mar Homeowners Association, Inc. (CDMHAI).

In its Dec. 23, 2011 ruling, the board ordered Byron, brother of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, and nine others to cease and desist from conducting any action or claims as officers and directors of the association.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Luis Fernandez on behalf of CDMHAI.

Fernandez was president of the association before Byron claimed he was the newly elected president.

In a phone interview, Byron said he and his group filed an appeal with the HLURB yesterday.

Byron described HLURB’s decision as “highly irregular”.

“It’s not over. They are not judges. The decision is not yet final,” Byron told Cebu Daily News.

He said the notice that Fernandez signed announcing HLURB’s decision was a “face-saving” and desperate move.

Byron said he and neighbors can find another name for their association.

“Our challenge to Filinvest is that they cannot nullify our homeownership,” Byron said.

Byron earlier led a protest against Filinvest, the developer of Corona del Mar, over what they said were unfulfilled promises to provide amenities in the subdivision which opened in 1999 and has 200 residents. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell