Anti-graft group stages protest vs Binays

Vice President Jejomar Binay (left), his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay (right) and 23 others face plunder case over the alleged “unconscionable overpricing” in the construction of an 11-story parking building (inset) that the city government supposedly built for P1.56 billion. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines–An anti-graft group staged a protest Thursday in Makati City to demand accountability from the corrupt acts allegedly committed by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, Vice President Jejomar Binay and their cohorts.

United Makati Against Corruption (UMAC) also offered white roses in front of the Ninoy Aquino monument at Ayala Avenue. The roses had strips saying “Save Makati Against Corruption.”

The group marched from Greenbelt Chapel after holding a “Mass Against Corruption” at 9 a.m. The mass was officiated by Most Reverend Deogracias S. Iñiguez Jr., D.D., Bishop of Caloocan. Attorney Atty. Renato Bondal, Binay’s accuser and convenor of UMAC, also attended the mass.

Kin Paredes, UMAC spokesperson, said that the protest was also held to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

“The Senate must continue with the investigation and find out who pocketed the money derived from the overpricing of the Makati building. For all we know, the fruits of plunder were spent for the luxury homes of the Binays,” Bondal said in a statement.

The protesters were from Barangays (villages) West Rembo, Cembo, Sta. Cruz, Palanan and other barangays from districts one and two of the city.

A Senate hearing was conducted Wednesday to probe on the alleged overpricing of the construction of what Mayor Binay claimed as the annex of the Makati City Hall. Bondal claimed during the hearing that this building is one of the many allegedly overpriced projects implemented under the Binays’ government.

Mayor Binay refuted the claims, saying that they were politically-motivated that the building was not overpriced.

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