MANILA — After refusing to enter any plea, the Sandiganbayan on Thursday entered plea of not guilty for accused former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay who is facing graft and malversation cases.
Binay faces two counts each of graft and malversation in relation to the alleged purchase of Php45-million worth of hospital beds and medical supplies during her incumbency as Makati City mayor.
The former mayor who is a doctor by profession is facing one count each of malversation and graft in relation to the alleged purchase of beds worth Php36.43 million for the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) in 2001 without holding public bidding.
She is also facing one count each of malversation and graft in relation to the purchase of alleged overpriced medical equipment and supplies worth Php8.83 million also for OsMak in 2000.
Dra. Binay is enjoying temporary liberty after posting bail in all cases. Arraignment immediately follows three months after the anti-graft court found probable cause to set her case on trial.
The two other co-accused o Binay in the case were Ernesto Aspillaga and Luz Yamane-Garcia, pleaded not guilty.
The court set the preliminary conference of the case on March 24 and 25 and April 6 and 7 and May 18, 19 and 20. Meanwhile the pre-trial is set on June 18.
Meanwhile, Atty. Michael Arthur Camina, counsel of Binay’s other co- accused Conrado Pamintuan and Jaime de los Reyes moved that the arraignment of his clients be suspended claiming that they have filed a motion for reconsideration of their motion to quash of the cases which was earlier denied.
Another accused, Dulce Cruz, was not arraigned pending the resolution of his client’s motion to quash.
Apillaga, Cruz, Pamintuan, De Los Reyes and another co-accused Luz Yamane-Garcia were also on temporary liberty after posting bails.
Another co-accused, Nicanor Santiago, Jr., Virgilio Clarete, Nestor Bulos and Apollo Carreon, who are the subject of manhunt after the court issued the arrest orders.
All of Dra. Binay’s co-accused were officials of Makati City Hall during her incumbency.