MANILA — Sen. Raffy Tulfo criticized officials of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) over what he described as the agency’s slow response to complaints from real estate buyers seeking refunds from problematic housing developments.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Housing and Resettlement on March 10, Tulfo raised concerns about the large number of buyers — including overseas Filipino workers — who have been unable to recover their investments due to poorly constructed or mismanaged housing projects by some developers.

The senator questioned why disputes involving housing, real estate developments, and homeowners’ associations remain unresolved despite existing rulings from the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

“Everytime may SC rulings na, hindi niyo naiimplement. 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 emphasized.

Responding to the criticism, DHSUD Supervising Senior Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz said the resolution of such disputes primarily falls under the authority of the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC).

Tulfo rejected the explanation, saying the agency’s response appeared to be an excuse for its inability to act on the complaints.

The senator added that many of the cases could have been addressed earlier if the department had acted promptly, citing how his television program, Raffy Tulfo in Action, has handled similar complaints from aggrieved buyers.

“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,” Tulfo said.

“If you want, tatambakan kita ng mga reklamo tungkol sa hindi pag-aksyon ng DHSUD. ‘Pag tinambak ko sayo baka ‘di mo mabasa lahat. I’ll give it to the Committee Chair. Ang hirap sayo palusot kapa eh,” he added.

Tulfo also raised concerns about how some developers with alleged violations continue to operate despite complaints from buyers. He cited cases where projects fail to deliver housing units on time, or where completed units lack basic utilities such as water and electricity or have structural defects.

“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!,” pagsisiwalat pa ni Sen. Raffy.

During the hearing, Paquiz acknowledged certain limitations in the department’s monitoring system, saying the agency only gains jurisdiction once a developer applies for a certificate of registration and a license to sell.

DHSUD Undersecretary Marisol Anenias also told the panel that the department does not have the authority to compel developers to refund buyers, noting that enforcement of such orders lies with HSAC sheriffs who carry out writs of execution.

Tulfo urged DHSUD officials to strengthen oversight mechanisms, including monitoring and investigating developers before they are issued certificates of registration and licenses to sell.

The senator also called on the department to cancel the licenses and registrations of delinquent developers and to establish a faster system for resolving complaints, particularly those filed by overseas Filipino workers whose property investments often come from their earnings abroad.