Guv's celebrity financial advisor in hot water over P20M embezzlement issue
Where is David Buenavacz? And while at it, what is now the latest with the Buenavacz-backed P350 million Iloilo Capitol Convention Center project?
The answers left hanging with Buenavacz, the celebrity financial advisor of Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr yet to make a comeback here in the Philippines.
As reported by national news wires, Buenavacz and wife Jessica Rodriguez alongside the couple's son left for the United States last December 6. Days after, the national media picked up on the departure with subsequent news on what has now been confirmed as a major dispute of Buenavacz with business partners in Makati City.
A press statement then issued by the company disclosed legal actions set to be pursued while further confirmation was made on Buenavacz' resignation as company Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Beverly Hills 6750, a high-end aesthetic center accused its former CEO of misallocating company funds. Separate news items later put a price tag on the amount involved placed at about P20 million with Buenavacz denying embezzlement charges.
Meantime, a P350 million planned project of the Iloilo Provincial Government awaits attention and action of the former athlete/celebrity following his ‘official' tag as the governor's financial advisor here.
Late last year Buenavacz appeared before members of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) in a bid to get the SP body's nod on the P350 million Iloilo project. He was then representing his other company, Strategic and Comprehensive Consultants, Incorporated (SCCI) with senior members of the 9th SP body seeking more credentials of the governor's financial advisor.
Questions were also raised on Buenavacz' manner of presentation that had Ilonggo government planners dismiss SCCI feasibility study.
Buenavacz in an interview then with Capitol reporters expressed his dismay over the lack of interest and approval of the 9th SP. Such as he stressed his expertise while using other government projects as example that SCCI purportedly pursued.
"Who is he? Other than his advertisements on television, the one showing him with a horse, we know nothing about him," Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico was then overheard as having said when asked about Buenavacz.
The Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) in a report disclosed the statement received from Beverly Hills 6750 through email last December 21. This, in connection with the controversy involving "celebrity couple Jessica Rodriguez and David Bunevacz" that the duo was "booted out from the aesthetic center for several unconfirmed reasons—the loudest buzz is that the couple uses the company's finances for their luxurious lifestyle."
"Beverly Hills 6750, an aesthetic center specializing in cosmetic surgery, dermatology, cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic gynecology put up as a collaboration between businessmen and physicians, has been in the news lately ever since celebrity couple David and Jessica Bunevacz, was reported to have left the company (and the country) because of alleged anomalous transactions which have cost BH6750 a considerable amount of money.
"The management of BH6750 confirmed that Mr. David Bunevacz has indeed resigned from his position as President of the corporation. The board of directors and owners has appointed a management committee to oversee the day-to-day operations of the center and a new election of officers will be held January.