Senator Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday lashed out at officials of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), accusing the agency of failing to act swiftly on mounting complaints from homebuyers—many of them overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)—seeking refunds from developers over defective or nonexistent housing projects.
During a Senate Committee on Housing and Resettlement hearing, Tulfo criticized DHSUD’s slow enforcement of court rulings in disputes between developers and homeowners’ associations.
He said complainants often resort to his public service program to get justice.
“Everytime may SC rulings na, hindi niyo nai-implement. Matagal nang nagdesisyon ang korte (para sa refunds o disputes), mabagal kayong kumilos kaya yung iba pumupunta pa sa programa ko para lang ma-execute. Duwag kayo? Incompetent kayo? O sa magkanong kadahilanan?” Tulfo said.
DHSUD Supervising Senior Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz explained that the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) handles such disputes. Tulfo rejected the explanation, saying bureaucratic procedures only delay justice.
“Bakit pagdating sakin nabibigyan ko agad ng aksyon. I call directly the developer. Wala nang conciliation-conciliation. Bigay agad ang refund. Illegal sila eh! Kasi dun sa (HSAC), magpapatawag pa notice 1, notice 2. Pinapahaba niyo lang,” he argued.
Tulfo warned DHSUD that the Senate committee could be flooded with complaints if victims formally file cases.
“If you want, tatambakan kita ng mga reklamo tungkol sa hindi pag-aksyon ng DHSUD. Pag tinambak ko sayo baka hindi mo mabasa lahat. I’ll give it to the committee chair. Ang hirap sayo palusot ka pa eh,” he added.
The senator highlighted that OFWs are among the most affected, investing their savings in housing projects only to find unfinished or substandard units.
“Palagi yan. Nakapagbayad na sila, usually mga OFWs, pinagpawisan nila sa abroad. Nagbayad sila bago mag-abroad, hulog nang hulog. When the time comes dapat turnover na, walang unit, walang bahay, puro talahib. Kung meron man butas-butas, walang tubig, walang bubong,” Tulfo said.
The hearing also revealed loopholes in monitoring developers, as DHSUD admitted oversight begins only after companies apply for registration and licenses to sell.
DHSUD officials further explained that only HSAC sheriffs can enforce writs of execution against delinquent developers.
Tulfo urged reforms, including stricter monitoring of developers before licensing, faster revocation of registrations for violators, and a more efficient system to address complaints—especially those involving OFWs whose life savings are tied to troubled housing projects.