07 October 2005 – The Department of Foreign Affairs today warned the public against a certain company with the name Association Caritative pour une Ouvre de Renaissance et de Développement (ACORD), headed by a Mr. Imer Cacaj, with address at Place Cornavin 14-16, 1211 Geneva 1, that is allegedly victimizing individuals and companies in the Philippines by negotiating a billion pesos worth of housing project.

The Department issued this warning upon the recommendation of the  Philippine Embassy in Berne, Switzerland.   Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Lamberto V. Monsanto informed the Department that the Embassy received a letter from Ms. Jacqueline R. Liwan on 21 September 2005 requesting its assistance to verify the existence of the company.   According to Ms. Liwan, their company, Ross Systems International, Inc., is negotiating with the ACORD a United Nations project involving a low-cost housing project worth two billion pesos in Mandaue, Cebu.

CDA Monsanto said the Embassy verified from the Philippine Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, that the company does not legally exists and that its business proposals are all by indications a scam to victimize individuals and companies in the Philippines.

The Philippine Mission in Geneva further reported that it has received a request for verification some three years ago coursed through the Philippine Embassy at the Holy See involving the same association and personalities but using a different business address.  “UN projects particularly of the amount mentioned (Two Billion Pesos) would be directly negotiated with the Philippine Government and not through entity or NGO such as the ACORD,” according to the report of Philippine Mission in Geneva.

In view of this information, the Department advises the public to verify from the National Economic Development Authority and from the local government unit before entering into a negotiation or transaction with such companies in order to avoid fraudulent business offers. END