Binays face plunder, graft raps over ‘most expensive school’ in PH

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Vice President Jejomar Binay (R) and Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Renato Bondal on Tuesday filed plunder and graft raps against Vice President Jejomar Binay, his son Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, and other officials in connection with the alleged “priciest high school” in the country.

In the complaint, Bondal said Binay and other respondents benefited in the alleged overpricing of the Makati Science High School building, which started construction in 2007 during the terms of VP Binay as mayor all the way to his son Junjun Binay’s term.

Bondal, who testified against Binay in the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, said the 10-storey building measuring 18,373 square meters is worth P1.3 billion. This means the construction cost is more than P72,500 per square meter.

Bondal said according to the National Statistics Office, the average cost of construction per square meter in 2007 was at P8,013. This means the project should have only cost P147.2 million, Bondal said.

Meanwhile, based on the construction industry guidelines published in 2013 by David Landon and Shea, the average cost is at P25,620 per square meter, so the building should have only cost P470 million, he added.

Based on Landon and Shea’s industry data, the Makati High School building was allegedly overpriced by P862 million, Bondal said.

Bondal likened the Makati high school building with another infrastructure Makati Parking building, which was also subject of the Senate inquiry.

“Like the Makati Parking Building, the Makati Science High School also became a veritable milking cow,” Bondal said in the complaint.

Bondal had testified in the Senate about the overpriced school building, calling it the most expensive school in the country.

“The school building has become the most expensive building in the entire country, if not the entire world. For this reason, the Binays, their minions and the compliant city councilors, members of the school board, and other city government officials should be held responsible for this plunder of public funds,” the complaint read.

The respondents were also accused of violating the government procurement law particularly involving Hilmarc’s Construction, the contractor of the building.

This is the second plunder complaint filed against the Binays. They also face plunder raps in connection with the alleged overpricing of the Makati parking building.

The other officials facing the complaint are:

City councilors from 2007 to 2013: Ferdinand Eusebio, Arnold Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Tosca Puno-Ramos, Maria Alethea Casal-Uy, Virgilio Hilario, Monsuor Del Rosario III, Vince Sese, Dr. Nelson Pasia, Salvador Pangilinan, Elias Tolentino, Ruth Tolentino, Henry Jacome, Leo Magpantay, Nemesio “King” Yabut, Armand Padilla, Israel Cruzado, Ma. Theresa De Lara, Angelito Gatchalian, Ricardo Javier;

Members of school board of Makati in 2009;

Makati Audit Commissioner Cecilia Caga-anan;

Bids and Awards committee members from 2007 to 2013: Marjorie Veyra, Lorenzo Amores. Pio Kenneth Dasal, Gerardo San Gabriel, Eleno Mendoza, Rodel Nayve;

Hilmarc officers from 2007 to 2013: Efren Canlas, Damian Ramos, Ma. Trinitas Canlas, Susan Ramos, Ma. Shiela Dayrit, Edouard Ferdinand Canlas, Juan.Paolo Canlas, Cristina Elisse Canlas, Hak Jin Kim, Robert Henson.