MANILA, Philippines – The architect who had allegedly designed a rest house in a farm estate in Rosario, Batangas strongly denied the allegation on Thursday, saying his signature on the supposed design proposal was forged.
Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado named architect Rodolfo R. Bongato as the one who allegedly made a design proposal for the construction of a rest house in the controversial Batangas property, which was being linked to Vice President Jejomar Binay.
But in an affidavit executed this Thursday, Bongato attested that he never submitted such a proposal, saying it was a clear case of forgery since the signature that appeared above his name “is not even remotely similar to my real signature.”
“I have never designed a rest house for JCB Farms in Rosario, Batangas or in any other location. The signature over my printed name as appearing in the proposal is not mine. It is a clear forgery as I have never signed the same,” Bongato said in a statement sent to reporters by the Office of the Vice President.
Bongato also noted in his affidavit that the price quoted in the proposal was not the “normal price” which he charged for the scope of services stated therein.
“I am executing this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and belie in the strongest possible terms the genuineness and authenticity of the said proposal and anyone who will be peddling the same as (sic) genuine is committing a blatant lie,” he said.
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