John Hay developer sued again over 50-year lease

BAGUIO CITY – The developer of Camp John Hay is facing new fraud charges, this time from former Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, owner of a new hotel and dining facility operating inside the former American rest and recreation baseland.

Duped

Singson, a former Ilocos Norte lawmaker, filed the charges against the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco) at the Department of Justice on April 23, claiming that his firms were duped into leasing John Hay properties for 50 years, even though the CJHDevco contract only has a 25-year duration based on information supplied by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Singson sued on behalf of the Stern Real Estate and Development Corp., the Meehan Cellars Inc. and the Ilocos Coastal View Resorts.

P72M in damages

He is seeking P72 million in damages from CJHDevco; its chair, Robert John Sobrepeña; senior vice president, Gulshan Bedi; marketing agent Thelma Launo; and executive vice president and chief operating officer Alfredo Yñiguez.

Singson owns and operates the Filling Station dining complex and the Le Monet Hotel, which opened in February.

A Korean filed the first suit against CJHDevco on April 23. Kim Sung-hwan claimed that he and his father were deceived into leasing a unit of the John Hay Suites for 50 years. Frank Cimatu with a report from Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon