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[av_heading heading=’Binay roots for graft, malversation raps’ dismissal ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The camp of former vice president Jejomar Binay is confident the graft and malversation charges filed against him in connection with the allegedly overprized construction of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II will be dismissed.
According to his legal counsel Daniel Subido, the prosecutors are expected to present “weak and insufficient” evidence during trial.
“Since the case will go on trial, the prosecution must present evidence, and we anticipate that their so-called evidence would be weak and insufficient. Thus, the case will eventually be dismissed,” Subido said in a press statement.
Binay’s spokesperson Joel Salgado also believes the charges will get dismissed.
In a separate statement, Salgado said the Sandiganbayan is not as selective as Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.
“The allegations have been answered but apparently disregarded by the Ombudsman,” Salgado said. “It once again underscores the selective prosecution of the Binays and the Ombudsman’s tendency to look the other way when other political personalities are involved.”
“[The] Binays are confident that in a fair and impartial trial, they will be able to clear their names and dispute the baseless charges of a patently biased Ombudsman,” he added.
Last Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division ruled there is probable cause to hold Binay and son former Makati City mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. for trial for malversation, graft and falsification of public documents charges.
State prosecutors insisted the Binays and their co-accused have manipulated the bidding for the contracts in favor of the MANA Architecture and Interior Design company and Hilmarc’s Construction Corp.
The complaint said the respondents awarded the P11.9-million contract for the design and architectural services to the MANA Architecture and Interior Design company without public bidding.
The payment for the contract was released to MANA even without the deliverables made, and the first two phases of the construction proceeded without a detailed engineering plan, contrary to procurement rules, the complaint alleged.
According to the complaint, Hilmarc’s Construction was awarded with the contract despite irregularities and use of falsified documents.
Two losing bidders were named but one of them denied participation in the bidding while the other was nonexistent, the complaint said./PN
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