MANILA, Philippines – Makati Representative Mar-Len Abigail Binay denied allegations that she coursed her pork barrel funds to a non-government organization embroiled in the pork barrel scam.
In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Binay said her constituency Makati would not have progressed if she misused her Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).
Makati Representative Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos facebook photo
Binay was reacting to a “white paper” report that alleged Rep. Binay’s pork barrel was used to pay for political rallies and bused-in crowds from 2007 to 2009 , and that there were supposed irregularities in vermiculture projects from her PDAF from 2010 and 2011.
“Madali lang naman alamin ang katotohanan sa PDAF at pondo ng Makati. Tanungin natin ang residente ng Makati (It is easy to determine the truth on the PDAF and the funds of Makati. Let us ask the residents of Makati),” Binay said.
“We have the best hospital… Our barangay halls are the best in terms of structures… Our senior citizens enjoy the best services in the country,” she added.
According to the paper, from 2008 to 2009 the lawmaker allotted a total of P12.6 million in PDAF to Kasanib Foundation, a nongovernment organization (NGO) founded by her father.
She was also accused of funneling P12 million to the National Livelihood Development Center, a government corporation embroiled in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.
The amount was for the “implementation of livelihood projects (vermiculture/composting training with backyard vegetables and herbs gardening),” the white paper said.
The white paper also said In 2010, Rep. Binay allocated P15 million to Gabay at Pag-asa ng Masa Foundation for livelihood projects of her constituents in the second district.
Abigail’s brother, Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay, supposedly received the fund on behalf of the city government through a city resolution.
Rep. Binay made the privilege speech in response to the speech made by Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice defending the Liberal Party against allegations by Binay’s camp over the white paper.
Erice said Binay’s camp should instead prove the allegations are wrong instead of accusing the Liberal Party of being behind the smear campaign.
Rep. Binay said Erice is simply showing off when he delivered his speech.
“Huwag idaan ang privilege speech na walang motibo kundi magpapogi (Don’t deliver a privilege speech without a motive but to show off),” Binay said.
In an ambush interview, Erice denied he was showing off, adding that he does not need to because he has no intention to run in the elections.
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