MANDALUYONG | Soho Central | 41 F| 160m

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

I have written about cleaning and pest control in past posts. I have spoken to this many times with other Unit Owners and tenants. Besides many balconies being a mess with drains possibly clogged and one I can see, where will the water go? Do bugs multiply with all this refuse?

Another memo following many other useless memos has been posted. Part states, "...spraying and rodent control to hallway floors, fire exists, facilities and machine rooms." Well I had asked for this and more to cut off the trails of pests. They are now trying to catch up before the Annual Meeting.

Again I write, will all places that management can get to such as electrical rooms, water cabinets, stairwells, common balconies and terraces, elevator shafts, etc. be included?

Will a memo explaining to Unit Owners and alerting tenants that if they have pest problems in their units they need to clean and spray be posted? No such posting has been made to my knowledge. Part of such a memo needs to explain that balconies need to be cleaned and all food sources inside need to be secure. All food sources need to be placed in containers and the refrigerator.

I had to file a complaint about one unit where bugs have been seen coming from under the door. We thought the problem was solved when two women were cleaning after the tenant left. But, the bugs have returned and are crawling about the hallway. I now spray the hallway but cannot get to the source.

All Unit Owners and tenants reading this, please report any bugs and inspect your particular floor and report any problems including the stairwells. The past pest control has also missed floors and not included all spaces in the building management has easy access. So do not assume.

Thank you.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

There will be a meeting from 7-8PM tonight, Thursday, June 28, 2012. We will reserve for the next few weeks and post the dates and times later.

Please see the previous message above concerning the Annual meeting since we have posted the handout given at last year's meeting.

We have also posted a copy of the ballot which was not used since the Board walked out of the meeting. Those ballots were based on one vote for each unit. This was in direct conflict with the Master Deed and the law of the Philippines. Mixed use building are to vote based upon area.

We were asked by the new Senior Manager if she could attend a meeting. We told her that meetings have small attendance in part due to fear. Several Unit Owners have told me that they fear being seen at the meeting since they will then be watched and they fear for their units and persons. So how many others fear for their properties and lives?

Additionally, a member of the "Steering Committee" that was formed by some Unit Owners and now peopled by replacements since the original group told me that she wanted to talk but not in the building since I (meaning me, George DeCarlo) am being watched. This was told to me just a couple of weeks ago. So welcome to a feeling of safety in a Century Properties project now controlled by the developers.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

The following were in the ad:

Acqua (You know the one with a wall on the Pasig. Whatever happened to the special environmental and historical law to protect the Pasig River? Seems a building not appropriate to surrounding community makes law mute.)

The Azure (Has anyone heard the rumor that it was sold to a French company. I was told someone needed their title or some type of paperwork and did not know who was handling what. This is a game I heard the industry uses to slow the paperwork. Anyway, this person supposedly contacted the Justice Department.)

The Miliano

Centuria

Please tell us anything you have heard. Perhaps the "Stars" can come here to Soho Central to solve all the problems some of which are being worked on to make things look good before the Annual meeting.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

Yesterday, I heard from two people via texts that there was a shakeup with the security service. There have been serious revelations and now they make changes only when they knew and were told by Unit Owners. This was not done due to management taking initiative.

The security service also has its contract coming to an end this month. I had lectured the Officer in Charge from management about the lack of bids from other companies due to the high cost of the current company. He gave me excuses which made no sense considering that buildings in Makati with much more in property and money have lower cost security services.

I have just been told by the new Senior Property Manager that there are now bids. Really? I wonder why. Certainly this is not due to their own or the Board’s idea. Perhaps Unit Owners such as me talking and complaining about it.

But, will we see a proper process handling the bids? Will we see lower cost, efficiency and service without the let us say benefits for some.

[anone]

in my inbox today morning.

[mba2000]

thanks anone,sa post mo,yong kayang bike ko kilangan kaya ikuha ko pa ng sticker.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

It seems that the Concierge personnel are taking a great deal of grief for complaints written and no action forthcoming. All Unit Owners and their tenants must realize that the inaction is from Century Properties Management Inc on the 4th floor. From this point forward go to the 4th floor and voice your complaints as you write them.

This building is being run by charlatans of the worst kind.

Concierge personnel are now being terminated at a high rate in part due to this problem. I guess they are not acting as human shields for Century Properties Management Inc and the Board with full dictatorial control from Meridien (aka Century Properties) and Greenfield Development.

Oh, when is the elevator problem ever going to be fixed. Suit should be filed by Soho Central Condominium Corporation against all parties having to do with the elevators. Problem is the Board has directors from the developer responsible for the elevators since they were never turned over.

So we pay and they pray the authorities stay away.

[rize®]

To all Residents of Soho Central,

Just to let you know that Soho Central Service Elevator has not been working since Feb 2012. Any deliveries and pull-outs are being done in the passenger elevators. But what would happen if the furniture being delivered/pulled-out cannot fit the passenger elevator? I have told both Property Manager and Assistance Property Manager to show up in rubber shoes as I will order them along with the inept staff of Soho Central Condominium Corporation and Century Properties to personally carry the furniture using the stairways.

Such failure from the Property Manager/Assistant Property Manager along with Soho Central and Century Properties cannot go on forever. We, the residents, must do something to address this issue.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

While this is a small annoyance, it demonstrates the total lack of concern and respect for the Unit Owners. The Residents' Lounge is being used for Soho Central Condominium Corporation Board meetings and staff meetings for the agencies hired by the Board.

Once again, the Board is dictated by the developers who refused to allow Unit Owners control. The agencies who manage the building's affairs were hired by the Board and work for them (the developers) not us.

Our money is used with us having no say in how it is spent.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

One year for this saga! Of course we have the little matter of who had the difference and where is the interest not paid for the money taken.

After many more delays in getting signatures on checks at Greenfield offices, they finally wanted us to come to their office in Greenfield's building. I said, "NO!" There was no way I was going to go into the den of Satan.

Originally, this transfer of names on Meralco bills was suppsoed to be handled by Century Properties Management Inc on the 4th floor then Meridien was going to handle it, then Meridien with Greenfield and then Greenfield alone. Well the dummy front group, Meridien, was the puppet for Century Properties and that is where I said the movement stops.

This short story leaves out a great deal of arguing at the 8th and 4th floors as well as Ryan's many calls to Greenfield.

Yes, this ordeal has been done, I believe, to stop other Unit Owners or show them what reprisal will be taken against them in the form of making everything difficult. I would seriously advise that you tell all those you know to never buy from Greenfield or Century Properties.

Anyway, checks were signed and made out to Ryan and my mother. Not me. I was going to insist I be allowed to sign but their slick lawyers wrote a statement on the receipt that the person accepting would not sue, etc. Well I am an Owner in both as is Ryan. So in the "above mentioned matter" as they wrote I can sue and Ryan can even sue for 3506 since he received the deposit refund for 2114 not 3506.

A Greenfield CPA and lawyer even wanted me to sign as a witness. There were two lines and both did not have identification as for witnessing. They said they were told by their office. I tried to find the Senior and Assistant Managers on the 4th floor and both were gone. Ryan texted me and said they were going to leave so I had to return to the 8th floor.

I then deceided that I would define my signature so they could not add afterward. I wrote "For Witness Purposes Only!" and this was quickly but not loudly protested by the CPA. The checks were taken by Ryan.

Why mother? I guess their nasty actions want to play even more games but this game was the brainchild of Meridien as told to Ryan by Greenfield. Since my mother does not have a peso account in the Philippines we now have to open an account just to deposit the check since the stamped front of the check requires the payee to deposit it in their own account.

The account was opened and the check cashed. Oh, Greenfield's accounting offices said write a letter having my mother sign it and present that and copies of IDs. Well, BPI's officer said Greenfield is now giving advice that is out of their capacity and illegal. The check if deposited in that manner could be denied by Greenfield and BPI would be stuck and Greenfield would still have the funds.

The crooked games of the pigs just never stops. Meridien now keeps their door locked requiring a demand to speak to someone in #802.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

Not just us but others had talked about the security problem in the building since the beginning.

Having security inside the doors and not outside has been the tradition. While the front doors now have security outside the podium doors near the elevators do not. As pointed out by a member of the "Steering Committee" last year, once someone enters who should not be inside security has been broken.

The service elevator when working can be entered via the basement and persons bypass the lobby. Since I brought this up, this next security problem has been ongoing and ignored by the Board.

The Greenfield guards just smile and say hello to anyone entering via the bridge. Once inside they may go to the ground floor or proceed to the basement and go upstairs in the Resident areas by use of the service elevator when it is working or just walk up the stairs in Mayflower Tower.

Yes, weapons and thieves may enter at will and have been able to from the start. The thefts that had taken place in the building, I was told when we first got here, were not reported properly or told to the Unit Owners. So many secrets.

As for those entering the building through the lobby, Ryan just witnessed two people entering via podium lightly challenged but allowed to proceed upstairs.

I have told the new Senior Manager about the bridge and she was not aware of the problem. Why had no one told her of the problems?

Watch this change taking place and credit placed on the staff.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

I know a minor issue but for those Unit Owners not here, trees have been planted in the front. How long has this taken! Nothing gets done around here without loud complaints or placing issues on the web or other such forums.

All this being done and more before the Annual meeting in August. I know they will try to take credit for so much. But, you may be assured that it will be clearly explained that none of the credit is for the Board and its hired agencies. This building has been running into the ground.

OH, for all those Unit Owners without Titles and Deeds of Absolute Sale in their hands, I would do so quickly. Face-to-face meetings with government officials and your own choice of lawyer may be necessary. Remember, in the Philippines just having paid in full for your unit does not make it yours in full legally.

UPDATE (07/10/12) Meridien aka Century has moved out of the building. They are no longer in #802. I saw their office being moved out this morning using a passenger elevator then the elevators outside the lobby in the podium due to the service elevator not working for months. Meridien aka Century still handles the elevators since they have never worked properly. The admin office was not told of their whereabouts as they fled the scene. This will also cause problems for some in getting permits due to lack of Certificate of Parking Ownership which Meridien issued.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

It seems we have been getting used to the weekly meeting at 7PM on Thursdays in the Residents' Lounge. Tonight we hope to see you.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

BREAKING NEWS

Well not too breaking but what can it be in reality when Soho Unit Owners are told news slowly and Board Minutes are hidden as much as possible from the Unit Owners when requests in writing are made and then only part of what was requested is given with the normal lengthy delays.

As a Unit Owner just told me, it is called Century Properties since it take 100 years to get anything done.

The news is the Board met in secret without Unit Owners witnessing approved at some point in the past the rate of 26.50 pesos per square meter for the commercial floors. Unit Owners pay 65 pesos per square meter per month for fees. Yes, this is not right. Unit Owners are subsidising the commercial space.

So how was this done? I would guess it is due to a Board with Meridien aka Century Properties and Greenfield.

The developers control the Board and this incestuous relationship is not fair for the Unit Owners in the managing of the building.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

I was just told by a representative for more than one Unit Owner that at the Annual meeting last year they were refused votes for each Owner even though they were given proxies.

Century Properties Management Inc for the developer controlled Board told them that they were only allowed to vote for one Owner!

Who gave this Board and their management the right to dictate to Unit Owners who may vote for them by proxy? Did not the developers have proxy votes? They not the Unit Owners have access to Unit Owners so they not us may influence them for the votes. We are not able to tell them to give their proxy to someone such as a friend or family member or legal representive of their choice.

If this happend to anyone, please immediately contact the SEC whose contact information is at message #890.

Additionally, the vote last year was one vote per unit. That is contrary to the Master Deed and the law of the Philippines. Mixed-use buildings must be by area. So the election of the three Greenfield directors was not according to the law. After that vote the Board walked out and the meeting ended.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

PRESERVE YOUR RECORDS

Please seriously consider getting your records in order and remember to keep even the smallest pieces of paper involving your unit since you have no idea what may be in the future.

I would also encourage scanning and/or copying your complete file for safe keeping elsewhere.

And while you are at it, examine your file even small pieces of paper. If you have questions, seek those with possible answers.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

Does anyone have an update concerning this serious matter?

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/249408...g-housing-plan

BIR revokes ruling on housing plan

March 24, 2010, 5:49pm

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) revoked Wednesday an earlier ruling on the build-to-own (BTO), build-your-own (BYO) and other similar housing or condominium unit-owned schemes that resulted in the non-payment of taxes due to government.

BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said his agency nullified its previous ruling — BIR Ruling No. DA-245-2005 on constructing or building housing or condominium units — after a thorough investigation conducted by regional district officer Gerry Dumayas and assistant regional district officer Christina Barroga of BIR-RDO in Taguig.

Dumayas and Barroga, in coordination with BIR-Makati RDO Alfredo Misajon ruled that Meridien East Realty and Development Corporation (Meridien) and Century Properties Inc., failed to pay the income taxes and value-added taxes in million of pesos.

Meridien and Century properties, in a joint venture transaction last April 2009, contested that they only manage the construction of the condominium project in Global City, Taguig, and the funds as payment of the individual investors/co-developers are pooled in the bank with the developer, as project manager, receiving only a project management fee.

Moreover, the assignment and delivery of the developed units to a joint owner, is claimed non-taxable being merely a transaction to effect the return of capital contribution. This resulted to the non-payment of income taxes and value-added tax by Meridien and CPI on the gross project amount.

However, upon RDO 44’s investigation of the facts presented. They found out that Meridien and CPI misrepresented said transactions, which nullified the said ruling. (Jun Ramirez)

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

More on the scheme.

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/249943/bir-revoke

BIR revokes ruling on build-your-own scheme

By CHINO S. LEYCO

March 28, 2010, 10:59am

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has revoked its earlier ruling regarding the build-to-own (BTO), build-your-own (BYO) and similar schemes that resulted in non-payment of taxes due to government.

Under the revenue memorandum circular 20-2010, the country's tax collection agency has ordered the revocation of BIR ruling DA-245-2005.

The ruling was nullified upon the instance of RDO Gerry O. Dumayas and ARDO Christina C. Barroga of RDO 44-Taguig throught Makati Regional Director Alfredo Misajon based on their verification of the joint venture transactions between Meridien East Realty and Development Corporation (Meridien) and Century Properties, Inc. (CPI) last April 2009.

It was originally represented in the ruling that Meridien and CPI only manage the construction of the condominium project, and that the funds as contributed by the individual investors or co-developers are pooled in a bank with the developer, as project manager, receiving only a project management fee.

Moreover, the assignment and delivery of the developed units to a joint owner, is claimed non-taxable being merely a transaction to effect the return of capital contribution. This resulted in the non-payment of income taxes and value-added tax by Meridien and CPI on the gross project amount.

However, upon RDO 44’s investigation of the facts presented. They found out that Meridien and CPI misrepresented said transactions, which nullified the said ruling.

The scheme is contrary to the policy behind presidential decree 957, otherwise known as the "The Subdivision and Condominium Buyer’s Protective Decree," according to the House and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres encouraged all the BIR offices concerned to report similar schemes for appropriate investigation and to prevent further erosion of tax collection running into hundreds of millions of pesos.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

REMEMBER: Prepare for the 2012 Annual Meeting; read message #890 on page 45.

I was asked to provide the quote from the Presidential Decree even though it is posted and linked to elsewhere in this forum. You will note that the first sentences answer the question for most people. Developers have been playing serious games with delay since they do not want Unit Buyers to be complete Unit Owners. In the Philippines, that Title in one’s hands is important. A Title may be used without permission otherwise.

I was asked recently to accompany someone at another developer and then I gave the representative in their main office a full copy of this Decree. They kept talking about the process of this or that entity including their own. I made it clear that the process is written below and is the process for the nation.

Further, if a government entity was delaying and not following the Decree as intended, it was up to their lawyers to address the issue immediately and file complaints with the appropriate government agencies or go to court with an action. Of course, the Unit Buyer may also complain and file actions against the parties including the developer. It was two years since the unit was paid in full and still no Title.

MALACAÑANG
Manila

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 957

Subdivision and Condominium buyer's Protective Decree
(as amended by P.D. 1216)

REGULATING THE SALE OF SUBDIVISION LOTS AND CONDOMINIUMS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

SECTION 25. Issuance of Title. - The owner or developer shall deliver the title of the lot or unit to the buyer upon full payment of the lot or unit. No fee, except those required for the registration of the deed of sale in the Registry of Deeds, shall be collected for the issuance of such title. In the event a mortgage over the lot or unit is outstanding at the time of the issuance of the title to the buyer, the owner or developer shall redeem the mortgage or the corresponding portion thereof within six months from such issuance in order that the title over any fully paid lot or unit may be secured and delivered to the buyer in accordance herewith.

[GeorgeDeCarlo]

We have been trying to have weekly meetings and the attendance has not been high. This is due in part to Unit Owners having fears of being watched with their names being written down by security. The fear is also for damage to their unit and to their person.

There has also been the fear that we are being recorded in the Residents' Lounge. So we will have a new venue.

Please call or text me for the local venue for the meeting tomorrow, Thursday, at 7PM. More people are reading this forum and I would pray are preparing for the Annual Meeting and also doing what they need to do for the various problems.

Thank you,
George
0927 381 9113