ROXAS MEETS LEGACY, PRE-NEED VICTIMS IN DUMAGUETE

More victims of the Legacy Group and other dissolved pre-need companies will meet with Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas on Friday in Dumaguete City to discuss and convey their plight due to the loss of their hard-earned savings to scheming companies and their officials.

"Magbabayad ang dapat magbayad. Mananagot ang dapat managot. Dapat maibalik ang mga perang pinaghirapan ninyo na ninakaw sa inyo ng ilang buktot na negosyante (There will be accountability, there will be justice. We will seek the recovery of your hard-earned savings that were stolen from you by dishonest businessmen)," the Ilonggo senator said.

"Hindi tayo titigil hanggang makamit natin ang hustisya. Kasangga ninyo ako (Nobody can stop us from pursuing justice. I am with you)," he stressed.

He said the Senate will continue gathering evidence and testimonies that will help in exacting accountability from Legacy owner Celso de los Angeles and other pre-need companies who failed because of unscrupulous business practices. He also urged the Justice department to act swiftly on complaints already lodged with them.

"Handa akong tumulong sa planholders na makapag-file ng kaso laban sa Legacy. Iniipon at pinag-aaralan ko at ng mga abugado ang kanilang mga reklamo upang pagsama-samahin ang mga ito para sa isang class action (I will help plan holders in filing cases in court against Legacy. I and the lawyers are gathering and studying all of the complaints so we can compile them into a class action suit)," he said.

"Pupukpukin natin ang Department of Justice para agarang aksyunan ang mga reklamong isinampa laban sa Legacy at sa may-ari nitong si Celso de los Angeles (We will put pressure on the Department of Justice to act swiftly on the complaints against Legacy and de los Angeles)," he added.

The forum, organized by the PEP Coalition, will be attended by more than 200 pre-need planholders to be held at the assembly hall of the Siliman University. The audience will include aggrieved planholders of the Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc., the CAP and the Pacific Life pre-need firms, among others. PEP Chairman Philip Piccio will open the forum with an update on the status of the pre-need industry and an overview of the financial scheme carried out by Legacy to deceive its investors and planholders.

An open forum will follow, where Roxas will actively participate and hear the complaints of plan holders. Roxas will be accompanied by a group of lawyers, who will brief the crowd on the legal matters involving premium claims and collections and the processes on how to go after the erring pre-need firms and their officials.

Roxas continues provide free legal assistance to pre-need victims. Anyone in need of legal advice on the issue can text or call 0917-6276927.