Trouble is brewing at Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo as the long-delayed clubhouse renovation faces a showdown between the Board, an independent director, and the contractor.

Atty. Francis C. Aguilar, a long-time corporate lawyer and independent director, has formally opposed any additional spending on the unfinished project, citing alleged mismanagement, weak governance, and unresolved questions involving millions of pesos of club funds.

In a letter to the Board dated 6 January, Aguilar said repeated requests for key documents — including the construction contract, progress reports, and other records — went unanswered.

“Approving more funds to finish the clubhouse without proper documentation or an audit would be premature,” he said.

He stressed that the renovation has already cost members a substantial amount and should not be treated as a burden to be passed on to the general membership without full disclosure.

Aguilar also raised broader governance concerns, questioning why some individuals hold multiple leadership roles across different committees and stressing that those in such positions should be fully accountable for any failures under their watch.

He highlighted what he described as millions of pesos spent on security services over several years, rushed manpower arrangements after the previous contractor was terminated, and alleged mismanagement of the clubhouse renovation despite paying a project management firm P280,000 a month.

He also raised concerns over reports of individuals receiving over P20,000 monthly despite claims of “service for the love of Valley,” the outsourcing of golf course maintenance to a company with limited experience beyond landscaping, and equipment purchases made using trust fund money.

Aguilar flagged a questionable “one-day ocular, next-day bidding” process for interior design and furniture supply.

This took place while major disputes with the main construction contract were still unresolved, including additional contractor claims totaling P11.4 million. He also noted allegations linking the contractor to corruption and criminal activity.

Aguilar called for the creation of an independent panel of qualified club members to investigate the project and urged the ethics committee and responsible officers to address these issues openly rather than behind closed doors.

Board responds

The Valley Golf Board acknowledged the concerns and outlined the steps it has taken to protect members’ interests. Construction slowed due to disputes with the contractor, whose initial claims of P5.7 million later ballooned to over P16 million.

The Board said these claims were not supported by the contract or verified by the project manager. When the contractor allegedly refused to continue work without payment, the Board authorized the club president to take over the project.

The Board emphasized that no additional payments will be made unless verified by an independent third-party expert or resolved through arbitration.

Project funds remain intact, with payments released only for verified accomplishments. The project manager has been terminated, acknowledging and accepting the decision.

An independent audit and investigation have been commissioned, with initial inspections already conducted. At the same time, discussions with multiple established contractors are underway to ensure timely and orderly completion.

“The Board remains fully committed to protecting the interests of the club and its members, and to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the proper completion of this important project,” said Valley Golf president Rio Sesinando Venturanza.

Contractor pushback

Richbuild Construction Corporation, the terminated contractor, called the termination “unjust” and accused Valley Golf of withholding payments for work it says was already substantially completed.

Company president Ritchie R. Brijuega insisted all claims submitted — covering extensions of time, acceleration costs, change orders, and other contractual provisions — were documented and in accordance with the contract.

Brijuega said Richbuild remained “ready, willing, and able” to finish the project within 30 days if payments were made on time.

He denounced allegations of impropriety against him personally as malicious and stressed that the company, a “Triple A construction firm” with a strong track record since 2005, should not have its reputation tarnished.

“What I simply ask is to be treated fairly, to be given what is due, and not be made to beg for my men and their families,” he said.

Brijuega described the clubhouse project as “dear to me” and expressed pride in the contributions of his team, while insisting the firm acted responsibly throughout the contract.

With the estimated cost of the two-story clubhouse potentially reaching P100 million, the dispute underscores the challenges of managing large-scale club projects and the need for transparency, accountability, and clear governance in private organizations.