Sandiganbayan suspends arraignment of Elenita Binay

Former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay. PHOTO by Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan third division on Thursday deferred anew the arraignment of former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay, who was charged with graft and malversation of public funds.

Mrs. Binay’s case stemmed from the alleged anomalous purchase of P45-million worth of medical supplies and equipment when she was still the Makati mayor.

Binay’s counsel asked the anti-graft court’s third division to suspend the arraignment pending the resolution of the motion to quash they filed in court.
The third division asked the public prosecutors to comment on the motion of the defense but the prosecution said they “would submit to the sound discretion of the court.”

Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang rescheduled the arraignment for February 26.

After the hearing, the wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay refused to answer questions from the media.

Mrs. Binay was accused in 2001 of purchasing hospital beds amounting to P36.3 million and P8.83 million worth of dry heat sterilizers without public bidding.

Binay was supposed to be arraigned on Nov. 20, 2014 but was moved by the anti-graft court’s third division to January after her legal counsel asked for postponement as they plan to file a motion for reconsideration to stop the trial.

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