Binay, son charged for P1.3-B school building

MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president Jejomar Binay and his son former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. are facing another batch of cases before the Sandiganbayan, this time over the alleged bidding anomalies for the construction of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School building.

Representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman arrived at the Sandiganbayan yesterday afternoon to file cases. 

The ombudsman’s Public Information and Media Relations Bureau (PIMRB) said the Binays were charged with four counts each of violation of Section 3 (e) Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and three counts each of falsification of public documents.

The ombudsman’s PIMRB also said several former city government officials and private individuals from Infiniti Architectural Works and Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. were also charged.

Binay, his son and several other former city officials are also on trial for the alleged overpriced construction of the P2.2-billion Makati parking building.

In a text message sent to reporters, lawyer Joey Salgado, spokesperson of the Binays, said the filing of another set of cases is a manifestation of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales’ “obsession” to prosecute the Binay family.

“The ombudsman clearly intends to spend her remaining months in office pursuing her obsession to prosecute former VP Jojo Binay and former mayor Junjun Binay on false and baseless charges,” Salgado said.

Morales is set to retire in July this year.