VP Binay answers accusations

Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered a 21-minute speech at the PICC Thursday afternoon answering the accusations of overpricing of the Makati City Hall Parking Building 2 hurled at him in the Senate hearings.

Vice President Binay pointed out that the Batasan Annex, the Iloilo Convention Center and the Sandiganbayan buildings cost more than the Makati Parking building which cost P69,549 per square meter. The Batasan Annex and Lounge cost P74,000 per square meter.

Binay said the testimony of kickbacks paid for the Makati Parking building 2 were pure hearsay and will not stand up in court.

He also said that the contractor Hilmarc’s Construction corporation testified they didn’t pay any kickbacks to anybody.

He reiterated that the charges testified to at the Senate were politically motivated that was meant to bring down his high satisfaction and trust ratings as well as his 41% preference rate in the latest surveys.

Binay reported his accomplishment as housing Czar and as Presidential Assistant on OFW affairs.

Independent political analysts led by Malou Tiquia rated Binay’s speech as effective, direct to the point and presidential.

It was standing room only at the PICC with over 200 supporters carrying Binay placards.         

Incredible testimony

Ex-Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado testified that he was the one who delivered the kickback monies to then Mayor Binay.

But Mercado earlier testified that it was the late Nelson Morales, city engineer of Makati and a trusted lieutenant of then Mayor Binay, who used to give him the money.

That raises the question why Engr. Morales delivered the money to Mercado when he had close, direct contact with then Mayor BInay.

Police Colonel charged

Superintendent Leonardo Felonia, former police regional intelligence unit chief in Davao, was charged with the murder of billionaire businessman Richard King.

The case against Felonia was filed by the Davao prosecutors office at RTC branch 17.

Superintendent Felonia is the latest addition to the growing list of rogue cops charged with committing crimes.

PNP chief General Alan Purisima claims he sacked 249 scalawag cops and suspended 585 more in 2013. In 2011-2012, 631 cops were sacked and 1,351 suspended.

These figures belie the PNP claim that only a small percentage of PNP officers are scalawags.

Recently a police official revealed that policemen are given a weekly quota by their senior officers to be collected for them.

The La Loma Station in Quezon City reported 9 policemen involved with the robbery holdup and kidnapping at EDSA Mandaluyong.

Meanwhile Digos City Mayor Joseph Penas asked the PNP to investigate reports that some cops are protecting illegal drugs and illegal numbers game in his city.

Davao del Sur Governor Claude Bautista supported the complaint of Mayor Penas.

Abad collared at UP

Students and protesters at the University of the Philippines pelted DBM Secretary Butch Abad with coins and crumpled paper, with one grabbing him by the collar after speaking at a forum at the college of economics.

Abad wrote a formal letter to UP President Alfredo Pascual reporting the incident.

The students shouted words of condemnation calling him a “magnanakaw”(thief).

Congress cool to emergency powers

House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II issued a statement saying that the request for emergency powers for President Aquino will pass rough sailing in the House of Representatives.

The opposition is based on the reality that emergency powers will mean higher electric bills for consumers.

In the Senate, no less than the chairman of the committee on energy, Senator Serge Osmeña III has expressed opposition to the presidential request for emergency powers.

Rep. Neptali Gonzales II also said that there is no enthusiasm for political cha-cha in the House.

In the Senate, Senate President Franklin Drilon said there is no more time for Charter change. He said that political Cha-cha is not a priority of the Senate.

Both Rep. Gonzales and Senate President Drilon said that their agenda is full with priority for the budget, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the Resolution of Both Houses No. 1.

Tidbits

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas announced that he and PNP Chief Gen. Alan Purisima will undergo lifestyle checks.

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, wife of Senator Bong Revilla, is starting to go around the country in preparation for her senatorial campaign in 2016. Also campaigning for the Senate is Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Pulse Asia head Ronald Holmes said the 3rd quarter survey is ongoing.

The Commission on Human Rights is against the proposed amendment in the New Criminal Code pending in Congress to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 years.