Couple Spends P500K to Repair Foreclosed House Ransacked by Previous Owner

A couple who purchased a foreclosed house through Pag-IBIG Fund’s bidding process was shocked to find the property in ruins, forcing them to spend an additional P500,000 on repairs.

According to a report by Jonathan Andal on 24 Oras, the couple bought the house for P2.9 million after it was foreclosed due to the previous owner’s failure to make payments for 10 months. Despite winning the property, the new homeowners were met with unexpected challenges after the previous owner vandalized the home out of spite.

Reasons Behind the Vandalism
The couple revealed that the former owner was upset because they weren’t allowed to stay in the house until January 30, as they had hoped to spend Christmas and New Year there.

“Ang reason daw po nung dating owner is dahil hindi daw po namin sila napagbigyan na mag-stay hanggang January 30, gusto nilang mag Pasko and New Year dito sa bahay,” one of the new owners shared. (The previous owner said they were upset because we didn’t let them stay until January 30. They wanted to spend Christmas and New Year in the house.)

However, the couple explained that they had to move in immediately since a new tenant was ready to occupy their rental property.

Extent of the Damage
Upon entering the property, the couple discovered significant damage:

• Doors were removed.
• Walls were smashed to dismantle the windows.
• Toilets, sinks, faucets, and even electrical cables were taken.
• Cement was poured into the drainage system.
• The electric meter was also removed.
• An unsettled water bill of P4,000 was left behind.

“Hinugot na namin yung ano namin sa insurance, yung savings namin, simot na,” lamented one of the homeowners. (We had to use our insurance money and emptied our savings.)

Pag-IBIG’s Response
Pag-IBIG Fund described the actions of the previous owner as theft and vandalism.

“Wala ho talagang karapatan yung prior occupant na kunin o sirain ang alinmang bagay doon sa nasabing property sapagkat iyun po ay pag-aari na ng nakabili,” said Domingo Jacinto Jr., Pag-IBIG Fund Vice President for Public and Member Relations. (The prior occupant has no right to destroy or take anything from the property because it already belongs to the new owners.)

Jacinto emphasized that the Notice to Vacate clearly stated that the previous owner was prohibited from vandalizing or removing items from the property.

Legal Action and Reassessment
The couple successfully won their case in the first trial, leading to the eviction of the previous owner. However, they have also requested Pag-IBIG to reassess the value of the house, considering the extensive damage.

Unfortunately, Pag-IBIG stated that a reassessment is not possible since the damages were caused by the prior occupant after the sale.

“Yung reassessment hindi na natin siya magagawa sapagkat ang sumira o yung gumawa ng mga bagay na ito ay yung prior occupant,” Jacinto said. (Reassessment is impossible because the damage was done by the prior occupant.)

Pag-IBIG assured the couple that they would assist in pursuing legal action against the previous owner.

GMA Integrated News is open to hearing the side of the previous owner, who has become unreachable to the couple.