Informed sources tell us there have been a number of confirmed overtures as far back as a year ago from certain Liberal Party members to “court” Vice President Jejomar Binay as “guest candidate” for the administration party in the 2016 presidential elections. The idea supposedly came from a core group of Binay supporters who mounted the “NoyBi” campaign in 2010, hoping that President Aquino will eventually yield to endorsing the candidacy of the vice president.
It’s no secret that there are those who never really supported Mar Roxas. In fact, friends and even some close relatives of the President openly supported Binay in 2010. Everyone knows the VP has always been close to the Aquino family. The “special mention” of the VP in PNoy’s fifth SONA fueled speculations about cracks in the Liberal Party, with some members reportedly unhappy about the continuing poor showing of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas in surveys. It’s a fact that Malacañang is divided, with the Samar and Balay factions not really seeing eye-to-eye. This dissonance will become even more pronounced as 2016 approaches, our source said.
The Binay camp says they have been expecting the demolition job against the VP to intensify. According to Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, they have anticipated the filing of the plunder complaint against VP Binay, Mayor Junjun and some Makati City officials by a former barangay captain who lost his bid as Makati mayor during the 2013 elections.
The plunder complaint alleges overpricing in the construction of a 12-storey Makati City Hall building that was first proposed and approved by the City Council in 2007 when the VP was still mayor of Makati, while Junjun was a member of the City Council.
Mayor Junjun sent us a letter strongly refuting the overpricing allegations, saying that as early as February 2014, the Commission on Audit has already cleared the Makati City government of overpricing allegations through a six-page memorandum report. The COA memo was issued in response to a letter from former barangay captain Renato Bondal asking the Makati COA auditor to explain the alleged discrepancy between the project cost and data from the National Statistics Office. Copies of Bondal’s letter were also given to Ombudsman Chit Carpio Morales.
A team of technical audit specialists found the contract price “reasonable,” with the COA memo noting that constructions costs of buildings are determined by design and whether the structure is low rise or high rise. Naturally, high-rise buildings cost more especially when they will be built on soft or unstable soil conditions that will require more rigid and complicated base/structural preparations – which also means a higher quantity as well as quality of materials to be used, the report noted.
Contrary to Bondal’s complaint that described the structure as just a parking building, the 12-storey edifice is actually a green building with several floors for office spaces, glass paneled walls and LED lighting. Since the building sits on soft/unstable soil, bored piles and steel sheet piling were used to ensure stability and strength in the building foundation, Mayor Binay disclosed.
According to reports, the complainant is set to go on a “nationwide speaking tour” – raising speculations about an unseen hand allegedly financing the efforts of Bondal to intensify the demolition job against the VP especially since the plunder complaint came on the heels of a Pulse Asia survey showing Binay as a frontrunner among potential presidentiables with a 41 percent rating.
We expect more of these baseless accusations in the coming weeks, the Makati mayor said, predicting that opponents might also file complaints against the Friendship Suites, Makati Science High School, the new Ospital ng Maynila and other programs of the city government, even the birthday cakes and other benefits accorded to senior residents – all of which have passed COA scrutiny.
No doubt about it – the political season is off to an early start.
Wanted: Omnibus traffic law
A group of irate commuters are suggesting the adoption of an omnibus traffic law for the entire country that would incorporate the provisions and mandates of separate agencies such as the LTFRB, LTO and the MMDA which are fighting each other over plans, guidelines, implementation, jurisdiction and other issues while the traffic problem continues to reach hellish proportions.
Concerned citizens are also thinking of lobbying for stiffer fines and even a jail term for those who violate traffic laws and cause gridlocks especially along major thoroughfares like EDSA, C5, Commonwealth or Quezon Avenue. Additionally, there should be a law requiring those involved in traffic accidents to remove their vehicles within 15 minutes – which is very reasonable since almost everyone now has a smartphone that can be used to take photos to see who is at fault.
Imagine, only two drivers are involved yet the whole world has to suffer while the “accidentees” wait for the traffic enforcer to make a sketch of the accident and tell the drivers to clear the scene.
One of our readers, Dr. Ron Benitez, has been suggesting a “brand coding scheme” to complement the number coding scheme that would reduce the volume of vehicles on the streets by designating (through lottery) days when certain car brands are allowed on EDSA. This will have an immediate effect on traffic and will cost taxpayers very little because it won’t need expensive studies, not to mention less pollution and less healthcare costs, he said,
Spy tidbit
Cora Antonio, the wife of Monetary Board member Freddie Antonio, requested us to inform our readers that the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace is organizing a five-day retreat for priests on Aug. 11-15 at the Capuchin Retreat House in Lipa City, Batangas. Mrs. Antonio is appealing for donors and sponsors to cover the expenses of the retreat participants. For inquiries and details email vilmabvalera@yahoo.com or call/text 0917-5789127.
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Email: spybits08@yahoo.com.