In his opening statement at the beginning of the 25th and last hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee Tuesday, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as chair, assured the public that “the legislative ideas based on the evidence we have gathered as well as our findings on the two resolutions shall be forthcoming. Just to remind everyone, the subcommittee’s proceedings were undertaken in aid of legislation.”
This is to debunk criticisms of the year-long investigation as primarily a vehicle to destroy Vice President Jojo Binay, who is a presidential candidate in the 2016 elections.
The Senate investigation was triggered by two resolutions filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in August 2014. The probe started with the alleged P1.6 Billion overpricing of the 11-Storey New Makati City Hall II Parking Building.
Like Pandora’s Box, the investigation on the parking building led to more alleged anomalies and discovery of the mindboggling wealth of the Binays including a sprawling hacienda in Batangas.
The investigations expanded to include alleged overpricing the 22-Storey Makati City Hall Building, irregular transactions entered into by the Home Development Mutual Fund/PAG-IBIG Fund and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines under the leadership of Binay.
It uncovered alleged irregularities in the University of Makati Nursing Building; Makati Science High School Building; supplies for Ospital ng Makati; and University of Makati – STI Joint Venture Agreement.
Graft and plunder cases have been filed against Binay, his son Junjun, who was then the Makati mayor, and his associates Gerardo Limlingan, Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy and others. The whereabouts of Limlingan and Baloloy have been a mystery since the report of the alleged anomalies in Makati broke out.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said earlier that the information gathered by the Senate has helped a lot in their building of the case against the Binays.
Junjun Binay has been dismissed as mayor and is perpetually barred from holding public office. The Anti-Money Laundering Council has frozen identified accounts of Binay and his associates.
Once the Ombudsman has established probable cause on the charges against Binay and his associates, the information will be filed with the Sandiganbayan. Warrants of arrest would be issued.
Legal observers said based on what have so far been reported, the vice president would be charged with graft which is bailable. He can continue with his campaign for the presidency. Junjun Binay, Limlingan and Baloloy would be included in the plunder cases, which are unbailable.
Limlingan and Baloloy have succeeded evading summons from the Senate but once warrants of arrest for them are out, the Interpol would be mobilized to find them.
In the recent survey of the Social Weather Stations, it was shown that Binay has recovered from his decline in popularity ratings during the Senate investigation last year and has taken again the lead among presidential candidates in the May 2016 elections.
Pimentel said if Binay wins the presidency, he would be immune from suits. Any charges of graft or plunder would have to wait after his term.
The Senate has done its job. It’s now up to the people.
I do believe that even the US congressional Inquiry will not allow its findings to be used by prosecutors in any proceeding to prosecute any of the subject other than for PERJURY committed before the Inquiry..it is the same in most or majority of other countries. The objective of Legislative , or any Inquiry other than the Judicial Review, Criminal Probe is for legislative measure, policy making or aid of legislation but never Blame finding.
Ellen, I was informed by Atty. Rene Bondal, one of the main accusers that he has filed cases against Abby Binay for her pork barrel fund that spent millions on earthworms and unexplained wealth. He believes it will be included in the next round of PDAF cases to be filed by Omb. Morales
He also said that 22 other Makati officials have already been dismissed by the Ombudsman.
He also said Mercado has been allowed by the Sandiganbayan to testify against Dra. Binay. In the Ospital ng Makati overprice case.
Further he confirmed that another plunder case will be filed against the Binays for the ghost senior citizens which take amounted to around P200M per year. The city’s records show that 70,000 seniors benefited by about P10,000 per year but upon takeover of Peña there were only 32,000 surveyed.
I talked with Rene during our Alumni Homecoming last week.
The Senate (particularly Senators Pimentel and Trillanes), Atty Bondal, and former Vice Mayor Mercado have done their part in informing the people about Binay. It’s a sad commentary of our our values that Binay remains a leading contender in the presidential race.
I think ex-Mayor Junjun Binay will get his due in the plunder case. But I understand, the most that the Ombudsman can file against Binay is graft. But it’s important that Limlingan ang Baloloy be put in the Interpol watchlist.
Whatever happened to that piece of property in Batangas titled in Mercado’s name and which he donated to the government? Natuloy ba?
Whatever happened to that condo under the name of one of Binay’s dummies, the one that I think Mercado used for awhile ? Is the dummy still in possession of the P18M condo or is it now with Binay?
Kung graft lang ang kaso against Binay, okay na din yun. Basta makulong lang siya at ma-disqualify from public office forever.
Ball is now in the hand of the voting population….another disaster forth coming…..look at the line up of suppose topnotcher kuno….sotto , pacquiao and others…..pag nainis ako tutal lokohan na include ko alma moreno and amay bisaya sa balota…por dios por santo….
This is what is called Passing the Ball and unfortunately the ball is also deflated. What the country needs very badly is a very effective FOI or Access to Information Act and a Totally Reformed Banking Law..and here is one very ‘REFERENCE’ as to why//
A very simple day to day reporter of Ottawa Citizen Daily armed with Access to Information Act was able to access the Senate records on Expenses of Senators of the SELF Policing Senate and questioned the Claims of Senator Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau. And what followd is the Govt went to the SC for its ADVISORY Opinion on how to Constitutionally ABOLISH the Senate if and when the Electorate demands it..The SC obliged.
The Senators paid back the money in Illegal Claims which in comparison to the alleged Plundered money by One Phl Senator is Peanut..the Total sum of not more $500 thousands..with the usual excuse that their Dogs filed the Claims. But the RCMP had none of it and with the ACCESS to Info applied to the Courts to open their banks accounts, their computer files including their Apples Iclouds and all other virtual files (the Cops even got their visit to funeral and coffee and donuts claimed as legal expense) and Charged them with Multiple counts of Fraud and Breach of Public Trust..and the Review by the Auditor General recommended that the Senate Financial affair will be taken over by an independent oversight and dozens other recommendation or otherwise it will be Abolished.
Now Go for FREEDOM OF INFORMATION law NOW..
The Aftermath.. Senator Brazeau, the “wife Beater” and was beaten to the pulp by then MP Justin Trudeau in a 3 round Boxing Match during his days as a Senator in good stead, is now working as Strip BAR manager and he likes it.
Senator Duffy trial is still on Going and during his trial his daughter somewhere in South America surfaced and found out that his Father was a Senator ( He fathered a daughter with a woman he was supposed to be helping not to get deported).but the daughter told the media that since his father was bankrupt, she pity him more than anything for he did to her mother. and we call it very Bad Karma..he used to be one of the Country most Celebrated Broadcast Journalise, same as Senator Pamela Wallin who is sitll in Limbo as she is still waiting when to get charged. And she will be, just a matter of not yet enough evidence..she too has returned all the money alleged to have been claimed as illegal expense..unlike Senator Duffy she is very wealthy.
It’s not about blaming but a cry for justice. Our people got burned many times over with many from DOJ prosecutors office are not dedicated enough to their jobs…mostly because they can get burned as well if they do so. Our government not limited to this current government does not promote what needs to be done in the promotion of welfare of its people.. Our people are looking for a saviour..they listen to whatever they thought will help them! Sad to see were so indefferent when fighting for our rights and what is right! These people knows it and they know they can get away with it. I don’t see us having a bright future unless this chain is broken but afraid one of these days these people who thought they have control suddenly see anarchy bec of the many injustice that they themselves created with their uncheck and un controlled!
Greed!