Sandiganbayan acquits Binay matriarch of graft, malversation

MANILA, Philippines — Sandiganbayan on Monday cleared former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay, spouse of former Vice President Jejomar Binay, of graft and malversation charges over the alleged anomalous purchase of medical equipment amounting to P9.9 million in years 2000 and 2001. 

“For failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt, accused Elenita S. Binay,...are hereby ACQUITTED of the offense of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019,” the decision read. 

Among the co-accused who were also acquitted are Luz Yamane-Garcia, Ernesto Aspillaga, Mabel Asunio and Lilia Nonato.

Two of Binay’s co-accused, Conrado Pamintuan and Jaime delos Reyes, were, however, convicted of graft. 

Pamintuan and Delos Reyes were both sentenced to six to eight years of imprisonment and were also disqualified from holding public office as a result of their conviction.

This has been the fourth graft charge that the former Makati mayor has been cleared by the anti-graft court. 

The equipment to be used by the Ospital ng Makati is said to have been bought during her term, which supposedly skipped public bidding.

The Binay martriarch was first acquitted in 2016 of a graft charge over the purchase of P13.25 million worth of office furniture and fixtures.

The next acquittal was in 2019 when the former Makati City Mayor was accused of graft over P72 million worth of furniture for the Makati City Hall.

In 2021, the Binay matriarch was also acquitted of graft and malversation or the procurement of hospital beds, and medical equipment amounting to P45 million.