Witnesses in Senate probe on alleged ‘overpriced’ Makati edifice go to DOJ for WPP coverage

Photo courtesy of www.makati.gov.ph

MANILA — Three complainants in the plunder case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, went on Monday to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the process in order that they will be placed under the coverage of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

They are former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, Atty. Renato Bondal and Nicolas “Ching” Enciso who have also testified before the Senate hearing on the alleged “overpriced” Makati City Hall Building II.

According to Bondal, they underwent an interview by the WPP officials. However, he refused to disclose the details of the interview because it is covered by the “confidentiality rule” of the WPP.

Bondal said they were ordered to submit the appropriate documents as part of the WPP process.

They went to the DOJ after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recommended that they should be placed under the WPP following their testimony before the Senate regarding the alleged “overpriced” construction of the Makati City Hall Building II amounting to Php2.3 billion.

On the other hand, the camp of the Binays vehemently denied such an allegation of “overpricing,” saying the reason they are being “attacked” was because of “politics.”