The entry of former CEO Arthur D. Tai and his workers in the Ocean Adventure Manila Sales Office “was done in accordance with law.”
In a press statement, it said: “Prompted by reports of irregularity in the Sales Office wherein payments have not been deposited to the company’s bank accounts but instead are channeled and funneled to personal accounts and to put a stop to the unauthorized use and diversion of company resources by Ms. Gatchie Balino, under the direction of Mr. Sharpe, the Sales Office in Manila has been closed and company equipment therein were taken out with the concurrence of the Building Property Management.”
Balino, who resigned from SBMEI effective February 10, 2017, removed Ms. Gwynne Barbasa, Treasury Assistant, after the latter insisted on processing finance related transactions according to company standard operating procedures.
Balino then reinstated and transferred all the functions of Ms. Barbasa to Ms. Carmela Cruz, who also resigned from the company last February 20, 2017. Both Ms. Balino and Ms. Cruz have also refused to accept check payments and instead insisted on cash transactions which are highly suspicious as this is not in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the company.
“Contrary to the claims of the illegitimate management of Mr. Scott Sharpe, an American national, who sadly still illegally occupies the company premises and facilities after their armed take-over last February 13, 2017 done under the cover of darkness, the entry of the management team of Mr. Arthur D. Tai into the Manila Sales Office was done in accordance with law.
“Prior to the visit, the management team of Mr. Tai already coordinated with the local Mandaluyong Police and recorded in police blotters the actions they prepared to take. Furthermore, the property management was duly informed and presented accordingly with the Lease Contract wherein Mr. Arthur D. Tai was the signatory on record and therefore was allowed into the building. Clearly, the occupation of the said office and use of all office equipment therein by persons headed by Ms. Gatchie Balino was unlawful and an act of trespassing.
“The visit to the Manila Sales Office was done during regular business hours by legitimately authorized company representatives working in coordination with authorities. The removal of company property came as part of plans to move the office that were initiated over a month ago as the Lease Contract came to a close in February 2017.
“There was no attempt to force anyone inside the Sales Office to leave the premises and all actions were made in their presence including Ms. Gatchie Balino.
“On the contrary, some members of the Sales Team who wanted to join the group of Mr. Arthur Tai as they grow increasingly suspicious of the actions of Ms. Balino, were detained and locked inside the office by Ms. Balino herself as she refused to turn-over the keys of the said office and remained in her possession throughout the whole time. She also refused to turn-over the company vehicle which she is no longer authorized to use by virtue of her resignation and remains in her possession to date.”
“Obviously, it is the illegal group of Mr. Scott Sharpe, Ms. Gail Laule, Atty. Manuel Quijano, Ms. GatchieBalino, Mr. Pierre Ordona, Mr. Robert Gonzaga and the rest of their gang that has every bit of intention to bleed the company dry and line their pockets with the revenues of the company. It is also for this reason that, despite their operation for the last three weeks, they have been unable to fully and fairly compensate the employees still working inside the company.” Tai said.
“The improvements and developments within the company premises and facilities attest to effective stewardship of Mr. Arthur Tai. In the two years that Mr. Tai managed the company, the restaurant facilities were renovated, the swimming pool was constructed, another F&B outlet was launched, critical equipment for the care of animals were purchased, a proper employee acknowledgement program was put in place and notably, the Adventure Beach Waterpark was underway but has since been stopped as a direct result of the illegal take-over.
“In stark contrast, in the last 14 years under the management of Mr. Sharpe and Ms. Gail Laule, they were never able to accomplish any of the much needed changes in the company and salaries were constantly delayed but they continued to unfairly charge even their personal expenses to the company.” said Mr. Dan Teria, Company Treasurer.
“In a clear penchant to lie, Mr. Sharpe and Ms. Laule now claim to invoke two court orders but they have been unable to produce copies of the same. They also refuse to explain why there was no Court Sheriff to serve the same orders.
All they are showing is a court decision by RTC Branch 72 Olongapo which was dismissed due to lack of merit citing lack of jurisdiction which, simply put, did not decide in anyone’s favor and more importantly did not authorize their armed take-over of the company. They also lied about the presence of PNP SAF men and the SBMA accreditation of their security force, Philand Security Company, which were directly refuted by SBMA LED and SBMA Administration respectively with Philand Security ultimately ordered to cease and desist all operations within the Freeport.
“No less than the SBMA Administator Wilma Eisma condemned Mr. Sharpe’s “use of undue force” and categorically stated that, “the actions of Mr. Sharpe’s group were clearly not in accordance with the proper and lawful procedures being strictly enforced in the Freeport”. “Until such time that they are able to obtain a decision by a competent court declaring them to be the rightful owners, we will continue to recognize only company officers whose names appear on current legal documents,” Eisma added.
In Mr. Sharpe’s reply to the SBMA Administrator, he defiantly said that they do not need “prior judicial intervention to exert their corporate rights”. “This is all that Mr. Sharpe can say knowing full well that he does not have the law on his side, brazenly violated it and continues to act outside the rule of law,” the statement concluded. (Press Release)