By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The former head of the Negros Occidental provincial capitol’s General Services Office will be charged with estafa after she was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bacolod City’s Barangay Bata earlier this week.
NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino said Lucille Chavez Pines had allegedly victimized several individuals by representing the Sheen Consumers Cooperative and the Homemakers Enterprising Association of Negros Occidental (HEANO).
Baldovino said they received a complaint against Pines last March 30, requesting investigative assistance from Mary Jean Mamon, represented by her legal counsel, Atty. Christine Nessia Bugador.
According to the complainant, Pines was allegedly looking for financiers to supply materials for the cooperative.
Pines allegedly offered three to eight percent interest rates to convince complainants to dole out money to her for financing the purchase orders.
Another complainant, Susano Lumayno, told the NBI that Pines messaged her last month that she had a purchase order from the Department of Education (DepEd) in San Carlos City.
Based on the investigation by the NBI, since Lumayno does not have sufficient funds to finance the purchase order, the complainant said he was told by Pines to look for investors.
However, Baldovino said that DepEd San Carlos issued a certification on April 11, denying having transactions with either Pines or HEANO.
In response to the development, Baldovino said they conducted an entrapment operation against Pines which ultimately led to her arrest.
During the operation, P150,000 boodle money was turned over to cover the amount of the purchase orders.
The charge for violating Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 9287, was filed on Tuesday, April 18.
However, Pines was released on that day for a preliminary investigation.
Pines was given 10 days to file her counter-affidavit and other statements.
In response to the allegations, Pines said she will answer the complaints against her at the proper forum./DGB, WDJ