Delfin Lee questions judge’s revocation of Pampanga court ruling

Real estate developer Delfin Lee. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Detained housing developer Delfin Lee questioned the timing of a Pampanga court’s ruling revoking last year’s decision allowing him to testify before the Senate on the questionable P6.6-billion Pag-IBIG housing loans.

“It is outrageous that a judge would hastily revoke an earlier permission for that person to appear following a senator’s announcement of his presence before a Senate hearing, Lee, through counsel Atty. Rony Garay, said in a statement.

Lee said they had been seeking the inhibition of Pampanga Judge Maria Amifaith S. Fider-Reyes since last year alleging that the judge was using a service vehicle (Toyota Innova) provided by the city government of Makati.

Lee was set to testify before the Senate on April 13 to shed light and name the persons behind a multibillion-peso corruption racket in the housing industry.

In an order dated Sept. 8, 2014, in Criminal Case No. 18480, San Fernando, Pampanga, Regional Trial Court Branch 42 Judge Maria Amifaith S. Fider-Reyes allowed Lee’s appearance before the Senate following the advice of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez. Marquez gave the advice after the Senate made the request.

Lee has been invited to speak at Senate probe on corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay, to shed light on the alleged housing scam involving Pag-IBIG Fund and its top-ranking officials.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity since the very first day I was held in detention,” Lee said.

“I am more than willing and ready to bare all–so that truth could eventually set me free and more importantly, for the innocent homebuyers who were all dragged into this powerplay,” Lee added.