FORMER vice president Jejomar Binay and his son, former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, have been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and other charges related to the construction of the controversial P2.2 billion Makati parking building. The anti-graft court’s decision also cleared 19 other individuals and dismissed the case against three others due to their passing.
The Binays, along with several Makati City officials, faced accusations of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation, and falsification of public documents in connection with the project, which was built during their respective tenures as mayor.
In a 202-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Ronaldo Moreno, the Sandiganbayan stated that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to overcome the presumption of innocence of the accused. “Here, the prosecution has miserably failed to prove the required quantum of evidence in all these cases. Acquittal, therefore, is in order,” the ruling stated.
The charges stemmed from allegations that the procurement process for the parking building was manipulated to favor specific contractors and that payments were approved despite incomplete documentation. It was also alleged that construction began without approved design standards or contract plans.
The Sandiganbayan also cleared Marjorie de Veyra, Gerardo San Gabriel, Pio Kenneth Dasal, and several other Makati City officials and employees.
The late Emerito Magat, Cecilio Lim III, and Manolito Uyaco also had their cases dismissed.
Former vice president Binay had previously dismissed the charges as politically motivated, aimed at undermining his presidential campaign in 2016.
metrosundaily
