Republiic of the Philippines

Human Settlements Adjudication Commission

REGIONAL ADJUDICATION BRANCH NO. IV-A
National Highway, Halang, Calamba City, Laguna

EMMANUEL T. PONTEJOS,
Complainant, HSAC case no:
RIVA-HOA-230523-00468

- versus -
AFP VILLAGE HOA, INC., and
MANUEL SANTILLAN,
Respondents.
x------------------------x

VERIFIED ANSWER

Undersigned Respondent unto this honorable Commission, respectfully states and

avers, THAT:

1. Respondent-HOA received summon and notice of mediation conference, On August

27, 2023, wherein he has given twenty (20) calendar days from receipt thereof to answer
allegations on the above entitled complaint. Thus herein Respondent respectfully submits his
Verified Answer;

2. Respondent-HOA vehemently and categorically denied all allegations which

involves the Grievance Committee of the Arm Forces of the Philippines Village Homeowners
Association Incorporated (AFPVHAI). More particularly in paragraph 9 of verified complaint
wherein Attorney Emmanuel T. Pontejos stated that, he brought the matter and
circumstances to the attention of HOA, but the Grievance Committee has allegedly
unacted. This allegation is not true, baseless and a mere stupidity;

3. Verily, complainant Attorney Emmanuel Pontejos, has never been filed any
complaint before the Grievance Committee against the registered owner of the Fish Store
Mrs. Fe Santillan considering that the letter he sent to the Committee is not a form of
complaint, but it’s just a simple REQUEST;

4. In additional, if we look closer and examine his letter dated __________________

hereto attached and marked as ANNEX “A”, it clearly shows that the complainant lawyer has
never been stated or included anything wrong about the operation of said fish store.
Moreover, we can obviously notice from the letter, his real intention is not to file a complaint
but only to obtain from HOA a simple “CERTIFICATE” that he might be used to prove that a
certain Manuel Santillan, husband of the fish store owner, is not a RESIDENT of AFP village;

5. It only means, that the only issue he raised before the Grievance Committee is
about the RESIDENCY of Mr. Santillan and nothing else. In this regard, our office find no
reason to enforce adjudication procedures against the said registered store owner.
 6. In compliance with his request, on March 20, 2023 Grievance Committee has
conducted the second conference where both parties are attended .In these instances,
complainant lawyer personally tell us a story about his previous experience concerning the
operation of the fish store. But despite of it, he did not file any action to the Committee
because he is fully aware that the issue that he was mentioning has already been SETTLED
and RESOLVED in Barangay Conciliating Panel few months ago;

7. As a matter of fact, Attorney Pontejos personally show to every one, the picture of
the Barangay Settlement Agreement stored from his Phone. Under said agreement entitled
KATITIKAN SA PAGDINIG hereto attached as ANNEX – “B”, clearly stated that the
BARANGAY alone will be the one to rehabilitate the drainage system. As what stated in the
following agreed-condition, to wit:

. . . . “ 2. Gagawa ng paraan ang Barangay upang maayos ang DRAINAGE

SYSTEM ng lugar para hindi na sila muling magka-problema.”

8. There and then despite of the above mentioned agreement, Attorney Pontejos
further informed us that he also brought the matter and filed administrative complaint against
fish store owner before the Municipal Health and Sanitation Office but things became futile,
due to the OCULAR INSPECTION REPORT issued by the said office stating that the fish
store operation has found NO VIOLATION on Health and Sanitation laws. Attached herewith
a copy of the his Letter Complaint, marked as ANNEX - “C” and the Inspection Report as
ANNEX – “D”.

In view of the foregoing, Respondent most respectfully pray unto this honorable
Commission, that the above entitled complaint be IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED on the
grounds of FORUM SHOPPING, LACK OF MERIT and LACK OF SUBSTANTIAL
EVIDENCES.

Respectfully submittred:

GIL E. TORENTE
Board of Director and Chairman of
the Grievance Committee – AFPVHAI
AFP Village, Barangay Silangan, San
Mateo Rizal