Minutes of the PhilRES Executive Committee Meeting, August 19, 2025, Washington Room, 6 Doors, Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Front Row Seated from L to R: National President, Hon. Rodolfo G. Valencia (RGV), PhilRES Chairman, Gener R. Sison, Vice President for Real Estate Brokers, Dr. Jaime A. Cura, Treasurer, Flordeliza P. Banu, Corporate Secretary, Jocelynn C. Badiola, VP Chapter Formation, Remegio C. Ramires.
Second Row seated from L to R: Asst. Corporate Secretary, Joanna P. Valencia, VP, South Luzon, Judy Acosta, VP, NCR-1, Evangeline M. De Jesus, VP, Gov’t Assessors, Concepcion Viray, VP Membership, Amelita E. Sarmiento, Internal Auditor, Joselito Damian C. Caballero.
Standing: Atty. Gilbert Dela Cruz of Bucoy and Poblador Law Office, Head of Secretariat, Romeo B. Abol.
Not in photo: VP, Visayas, Atty. Nelson E. Parreno and VP, North Luzon, Jose Penilla represented by Gener R. Sison, Executive Vice President, Emily Q. Duterte represented by RGV.
I. INVOCATION
II. CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of Chairman Sison (who joined in the latter part of the session), and at the pleasure of the Trustees present, President RGV presided over and called the meeting to order. It was 1:30 p.m.
III. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL
Secretary General Joy Badiola informed Emily Q. Duterte and VP Atty. Nelson E. Parreno had executed SPA for this meeting. Thus, with 12 present in person and 2 with proxies, SC Joy B. certified the presence of a quorum.
IV. READING & APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the same was approved and adopted en toto
V. MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT RGV
1. Acknowledgments
Pres. RGV introduced Atty. Gilbert Dela Cruz of BUCOY POBLADOR & ASSOCIATES is the legal counsel of the RGV Group. Atty. Antonio “Audie” Bucoy is currently the Spokesperson of the Prosecution Team of the House of Representatives in the Impeachment Case against Vice President Sarah Duterte.
Atty. Dela Cruz is conducting an evaluation of the situation of PhilRES to assist in its application for renewal of its accreditation as the AIPO for the real estate service.
2. SEC Matters. Atty. Dela Cruz will provide support to PhilRES’ requirements in the SEC Online Submission System, particularly in accessing to the PhilRES account.
3. Clarification on Pending Complaint with NBI. Pres. RGV highly suspected the complaint as a plot to eventually dislodge PhilRES as the AIPO of the real estate service professions.
Pres. RGV wrote NBI that since the Respondents were not furnished copies of the Complaint, they could not judiciously submit their Answers to the Complaint
4. Who is Enrico Melchor Sevilla? Based on factual information, Enrico Melchor Sevilla is a person of questionable character, reputation, and integrity.
He’s fond of instigating nuisance cases to serve his purpose of attacking and maligning prominent personalities in the real estate service profession. All these cases were dismissed for lack of merit.
Mr. Sevilla and key officers of PhilRES Quezon City Chapter volunteered to host the holding of PhilRES National Convention in September 2015 at the SMX Mall of Asia, only to place PhilRES in imminent embarrassment. For failing to settle the cost of the venue, which they had committed to pay from the sponsorship for which they had committed to get a sponsor. PhilRES Chairman Gene Sison, Pres. RGV and Trustee Joanna P. Valencia hastily raised the required funds two (2) days before, which is Saturday and Sunday, when banks are closed, to settle SMX as delegates from various chapters throughout the country began to arrive but were denied entry to the venue.
Mr. Sevilla reneged on his commitment to fully pay on August 18, 2016 the remaining balance of PhP111,817.31 he owed Trustee Joanna Valencia. Almost nine (9) years had passed, his indebtedness to Trustee Joanna Valencia, on the principal and penalty charge he offered to pay, remained unpaid.
In the 2nd National Convention of PhllRES hosted by PhilRES Mandaue Chapter in October 2017 held in Cebu City, Mr. Sevilla, together with past PhilRES Chairperson Pilar Banaag, and few others, and her husband vehemently opposed the ratification of the New ByLaws of PhilRES. But they were embarrassingly rejected by the plenary as 95% of the members voted YES for the ratification of the New By-Laws.
VI. UPDATE REPORT ON THE AIPO STATUS
1. Background
On February 7, 2025, PRBRES, on short notice, convened a meeting of representatives from various real estate service associations at the PICC. In attendance were PRBRES Chairperson Ofelia Binag, Board Members Pilar Banaag, Arnie Tan, and Rafael Fajardo; representatives of real estate service practitioners (consultants, appraisers, and brokers). PhilRES was represented by Chairman Gene Sison, Dr. JACura and Atty. Rey Ifurung. Also present were representatives from PhilRES Mandaue.
Notable was the presence and active participation of former PRBRES Chairman E.G. Ong and Rico Sevilla, past officer of PhilRES Quezon City Chapter, now a member of PhilRES Mandaue Chapter.
2. Main Agenda
The Main Agenda focused on PRC Resolution No. 1910, Series of 2024, on the Revised Guidelines for the Accreditation of Accredited Professional Organizations (APOs) and Accredited and Integrated Professional Organizations (AIPOs).
Board Member Arnie Tan presented and explained the provisions of PRC 1910, particularly with respect to the real estate service practitioners. BM Tan advised the Body to visit the PRC website and download their own copy.
Most significant provision of Resolution No. 1910 was the modification of the 50%+1 membership requirement for any association applying for recognition as AIPO.
In essence, Resolution No. 1910 provides that AIPO status may now be regular or interim.
Regular AIPO status may be granted to an organization that is able to show proof of 50%+1 membership. It is good for five (5) years, renewable upon approval of a petition to renew.
Interim AIPO status may be granted to an organization that is able to show proof of 10%+1 membership.
The significant reduction of the membership requirement makes it easily attainable. Thus, several organizations may now qualify for Interim AIPO status.
VP Cura articulated that the denial by PRC to renew PhilRES accreditation as the AIPO for the real estate service practitioners is illegal. More so with the handiworks of certain quarters in the profession whose intention is to put down PhilRES for ulterior motives. PhilRES has not rested its case. It has assailed the recent PRC decision to deny the application of PhilRES for failure to meet the membership requirement of 50% + 1.
3. The Real PRBRES’ Goal
PRBRES goal is to be able to finally proclaim an AIPO for the real estate service profession after more than 10 years of non-compliance with the RESA Law in this regard.
There was a hint of hope that the agreement could take place right then and there at the meeting. They were noticeably supported by E.G. Ong, Rico Sevilla and few others.
4. The Biggest Legal Objection: Violation of RA 9646, known as the RESA Law, specifically Section 34
Once again raised was the seeming fixation of the regulatory agency on the 50%+1 membership requirement when the RESA Law already ordained automatic and mandatory membership of all registered and/or licensed RESPs in the AIPO.
The law clearly mandates that: “Section 34. Accreditation and Integration of Real Estate Service Association. A real estate service practitioner duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the accredited and integrated professional organization (AIPO) of real estate service practitioners, and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. Membership in the AIPO of real estate service practitioners shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of real estate service practitioners.”
Can a mere PRC Resolution prevail over the provision of Section 34 of RA 9646 or the RESA Law?
i. BM Pilar Banaag took the position that since the PRC’s mandate is also contained in a specific law for the purpose.
ii. This position seems inconsistent with, if not contradictory to, many provisions of PRC Resolution 1910.
iii. What for are they a regulatory agency if most of the regulatory works are to be placed on the shoulders of the AIPO?
Sentiments of the Majority
As participant in the 2024 PRC Consultation Form with select Professional organizations (close to 20 in all) on the Proposed Guidelines for the Acreditation of APOs and AIPOs, Dr. Cura pointed out that the majority of the participants precisely recommended doing away with the 50%+1 membership requirement for organizations which draw their mandate from a Professional Regulatory Law (PRL).
The participants further opposed unnecessary restrictions and impositions that are regulatory in nature to be part of the responsibilities of the AIPO.
The New PRC Resolution No. 1910 seems to have ignored the prevailing sentiments of the Consultation Forum.
Creation of a New AIPO
Dr. Cura point-blank asked the Chairperson, Ofelia Binag, if the seeming rush to the creation of a new AIPO is a sign that they have already reached a decision on PhilRES pending petition vis-à-vis PhilRES application as AIPO. The Board seemed taken aback by the question that Chairperson Binag.
He suggested that the Body not rush to an agreement to create a new AIPO right then and there because they were not informed beforehand. Dr. Cura manifested that PhilRES, being the organization with the largest membership of all real estate service practitioners, should be given favorable consideration by the PRBRES/PRC as the AIPO.
In the end, it was agreed that another meeting be called, during which the representatives to be sent by the organizations should be empowered to decide and vote on behalf of their respective organizations.
VII. PHILRES’ PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
VP for Chapter Development & Affairs, Mr. Remigio C. Ramirez, highlighted the historical activities and achievements of PhilRES as AIPO for the real estate service.
1. No Valid Reason to Deny Renewal of PhilRES AIPO Status
Very apparent that PRBRES showed complete disregard for the documents that reported the many accomplishments of PhilRES in managing its affairs in accordance with its ByLaws and advancing professional ethics and continuing professional development, as well as esprit d’corps, among the thousands of members it had admitted into its ranks.
2. Vested Interest Sown Confusion Among Stakeholders
The several years of PRBRES' indecision on a valid Petition of PhilRES served as an opportune time for some vested interest to deliberately sow intrigues and confusion among the stakeholders. The biggest victims of this state of affairs have been the thousands of licensed professionals.
PhilRES also immediately issued an “Official Communique” dated 09 February 2016 with the subject “PhilRES Response to the Denial by the PRBRES and the PRC of the PhilRES Petition for the Renewal of its status as the AIPO for the real estate industry in the Philippines.” In this paper, PhilRES painstakingly answered and supported each point of contention against the alleged “failures” to comply with its mandate.
3. PRC Commissioner Reyes' Blatant Misrepresentation
PRC intentionally caused the withdrawal of PhilRES’ pursuit of its appeal with the Office of the President based on the assurance and promise of its then Commissioner, Yolanda Reyes, to resolve the same.
It turned out to be a blatant misrepresentation as PRC/PRBRES began inviting and entertaining applications for AIPO from other real estate organizations. Some of the applicants are the same rabid oppositors to PhilRES who, in cahoots with PRBRES officials, repeatedly sowed discord within what should be a unified and harmonious professional organization (AIPO) of real estate service practitioners.
4. Present PhilRES’s Strength
At present, PhilRES has no less than 48,000 registered licensed real estate professionals and about 15,000 accredited real estate salespersons. Of this number, about 8,900 are members of PhilRES. There are 52 PhilRES chapters nationwide.
He added that effective this year 2025, real estate service practitioners no longer required to submit Certificate of Membership for the renewal of their licenses.
VIII. PHILRES WEBSITE
Pres. RGV is initiating the reactivation of the PhilRES Website (www.philres.org) for transparency and update of all activities and programs of PhilRES. The said website was deactivated when the PRC/PRBRES failed to act on the Petition for renewal of PhilRES accreditation as AIPO.
IX. BRIEF PRESENTATION: PHILRES ACTIVITIES AS AIPO.
At the instance of Pres. RGV, a brief presentation of PhilRES' previous activities as AIPO was delivered by Deputy Secretary Joanna Valencia. Ms. Valencia showcased the holding of the event at Cub Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City with then Vice President Jejomar Binay as Guest of Honor and Speaker, the awarding of plaque of recognition and citation to the country’s top real estate and friends of PhilRES for their contributions in advancing the cause of PhilRES and the real estate service practitioners, the building-up of PhilRES chapters nationwide, among others.
In the event’s magazine were photographs of the activities and accomplishments of PhilRES and the national directorate in action. It also included the bio-data of the officers of the Board of Trustees of PhilRES.
X. TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Leeza Banu furnished the members with copies of the Statement of Receipts and Disbursements as of July 31, 2025. In brief, the Financial Position of PhilRES indicated the following:
Beginning Balance, as of June 19, 2024, PhP 2,123,225.28
Add: Membership Fees Deposited
Sep 1, 2024 – Apr 30, 2025 10,500.00
Interests Earned on Savings Account 888.89 11,388.89
Refund from Liquidation 4,703.00
Total Available Funds PhP 2,139,499.17
Less: Various Disbursements
Aug 8, 2024 – Jul 3, 2025 397,113.74
CASH BALANCE as of July 31, 2025 PhP 1,742,3835.43
There being no objection to the Financial Report presented by Treasurer Leeza, and upon motion duly made and seconded, the report on the Financial Statement of PhilRES was approved and adopted.
XI. RESIGNATION OF ATTY. CECILYNNE R. ANDRADE
The Board accepted with regret the resignation of Atty. Cecilynne R. Andrade. Atty. Andrade cited that due to her current situation, including ongoing personal, applications, and professional commitments, she could no longer perform her duties as an officer. She added that she will remain committed to the association and its goals and looks forward to continuing as an active member.
With the resignation of Atty. Andrade and the death of Trustee Hilario Escudero, the present number of Trustees in the National Board is reduced from 21 to 19.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to transact, Chairman Sison adjourned the meeting at about 2:45 p.m.