AMID its multi-year program embarking on hefty contracts with top business corporations, Ericsson Telecommunications Inc. suddenly found itself embroiled in a legal tussle seen to affect its business outlook in view of criminal charges filed by a Filipino contractor commissioned to undertake its projects.
Documents obtained from the Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that eight of its corporate executives were sued for allegedly swindling a Filipino contractor commissioned to undertake a long list of infrastructure projects with Smart Communications Inc.
Named respondents facing cases of estafa are corporate officers holding offices at the Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The Filipino contractor claimed in its complaint affidavit filed before DOJ’s National Prosecution Service that the accused commissioned them to undertake a long list of projects embarking on system integration, structured cabling, civil works, electrical services in malls, hospitals, business centers and schools with whom Ericsson Philippines has existing contracts.
After completion of the commissioned projects spanning from 2020 onwards, Ericsson Telecommunications Philippines allegedly refused to pay over P50 million despite an existing contract designating the complainant as sub-contractor.
“Respondents are clearly guilty of estafa by means of deceit” under the Revised Penal Code Article 315 (Swindling) which says “any person who shall defraud another by any of the means” of “false pretenses or fraudulent acts executed prior to, or simultaneously with the commission of fraud… using fictitious names, or falsely pretending to possess power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, business or imaginary transactions, or by means of other similar deceits,” reads a part of the complaint affidavit.
As this developed, country-based business groups urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect Filipinos against swindlers masquerading as investors.
“The practice of allowing investors to come to the Philippines and bag contracts only to rely on Filipino contractors to deliver results should stop. We call on the President to step in and protect Filipinos from being duped right inside our backyard.”
