Lawyer files P828-M plunder case vs Junjun Binay

MANILA, Philippines  — A lawyer on Friday filed a P828-million plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against dismissed Makati City mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr.

Renato Bondal, a former barangay chairman in Makati City and a long-time political rival of the Binay family, filed the complaint against the mayor and two information technology (IT) companies whose stockholders are alleged dummies of the dismissed mayor.

"Ang stockholders ng mga kumpanyang ito ay 'yung mga famous dummies ni VP Binay, sina Hirene Lopez, na asawa ni Tomas Lopez, para sa Powerlink.com Corp., at Marguerite Lichnock, 'yung asawa ni Gerardo Limlingan, sa CodeWorkds.Ph Inc.," Bondal said in a televised interview.

The lawyer claimed that employees of the city hall's Urban Development Department assume the duties of the IT service providers.

"Samakatuwid, walang ginawa itong mga kumpanyang ito kundi maningil ng P828 million hanggang 2014," Bondal said.

Bondal claimed that his camp has a witness who will testify and confirm the allegations of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado.

The lawyer's camp is set to ask the Department of Justice to place the supposed witness under the Witness Protection Program.

Binay was dismissed from service following the administrative case filed against him. The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered his perpetual disqualification from public office.