Binay accusers granted with DOJ’s witness protection program

DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima. Photo courtesy of UNTV

MANILA — Accusers of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay were recently placed under the witness protection program by the Department of Justice.

In a state report last Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the DOJ granted the request of former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, lawyer Renato Bondal and Nicolas Enciso IV to be protected by the government.

Mercado, Bondal and Enciso are witnesses on the investigation conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to probe on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall II parking building.

The Binays were accused of receiving huge amount of money from the construction of the P2.3 billion worth of project.

Binay was also accused of manipulating the bidding process in favor of the contractors close to their family.

The witnesses also accused Binay of receiving 13 percent in kickbacks from each project listed during his term as mayor of Makati City.

The vice president however denied the allegations on earlier reposts and reiterated that the attacks were launched against him in connection with his plans of running for the highest post in the 2016 presidential elections.