Binay reacts to 2nd plunder case, says enemies don’t respect Christmas

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Facebook photo)

MANILA – Vice President Jejomar Binay said that the second plunder case against him by his political enemies was done in bad taste and showed how his detractors do not have any respect for the Christmas season.

The second plunder case filed against the Vice President and his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay was connected to the alleged overpricing of the Makati Science High School.

“They have even given political color to the sanctity of Simbang Gabi,” he added.

Simbang Gabi is a tradition of the Catholic Church which started last Tuesday. It is composed of 9-day novena as preparation for Christmas Day.

On the same day that the Simbang Gabi started, an 11-page complaint was filed against the father and son for what they call as “the priciest high school building” in the country for allegedly conspiring to deceive the local government of Makati of P862 million.

The filing was led by lawyer Renato Bondal together with other members of a group of anticorruption advocates. The respondents include Councilors Ferdinand Eusebio, Arnold Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Tosca Puno-Ramos, Alethea Casal-Uy, Virgilio Hilario, Monsour del Rosario III, Vince Sese, Nelson Pasia, Salvador Pangilinan, Elias Tolentino, Ruth Tolentino, Henry Jacome, Leo Magpantay, Nemesio Yabut Jr., Armand Padilla, Israel Cruzado, Ma. Theresa de Lara, Angelito Gatchalian and Ricardo Javier, along with members of the Makati City School Board in 2009.

Other respondents were Commission on Audit (COA) resident auditor Ma. Cecilia Caga-anan, the then members of the bids and awards committee, and the officers of Hilmarcs Construction Corp. (HCC), led by engineer Efren M. Canlas.

Following this, the Vice President said that he is ready to respond to the “lies” against him. He also said that he is amazed at how his enemies did not even respect the Christmas season.

“I am just saddened that they did not give the Christmas season even an ounce of respect,” he said.

He added, “To those who filed the complaint and their backers, I say, I will answer all your lies before the Ombudsman. Let us face each other before the eyes of the law.

I will go through the right process.”

The Vice President noted that from 2007 to 2013, “there was not one question or finding of irregularity in the projects that his accusers mentioned.”

This year, however, is a different story. Most of his projects were audited, investigated, and others, said Binay.

“I am used to life’s challenges. And even if they are not fair or just, I do not back down,” said Binay.

“Let us all go through the process—so that the people may see who is really telling the truth.”