VICE President Jejomar Binay is allegedly benefitting from the University of Makati’s (UMak) College of Nursing as one of its shareholders, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV bared on Monday.
Trillanes said the alleged anomaly would be the subject of investigation by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee when it resumes its hearings on Tuesday.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Vice President Binay (inset photo) INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
“Ang pag-uusapan bukas ay yung tungkol sa University of Makati College of Nursing at dahil may mga anomalya dyan na hindi nalalaman ng mga taga-Makati at kababayan natin,” the senator told reporters at the Senate.
“Nasa gitna sya ng lahat ng kalokohan dyan sa Nursing College,” he said, referring to Binay, who was mayor of Makati City before he was elected vice president in 2010.
Trillanes said the alleged anomaly continued up to now.
“Pinagkakakitaan ang University of Makati College of Nursing. Partner dito si Vice President Binay. Hindi po ang City of Makati ang may-ari nito at ipapakita natin nyan bukas,” he pointed out.
Asked how Binay supposedly benefitted from the College of Nursing, the senator explained that it was the Makati government that pays the tuition and other fees of its scholars at the College of Nursing.
“Kanino ibinabayad? Sa kanila…” Trillanes said, referring to the college, which he said is semi-private and Binay is one of its shareholders.
He said Binay’s name appeared in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents.
“Nagkamali sya dito, may pangalan e,” Trillanes added.
Binay camp reacts
Meanwhile, Binay’s camp immediately denied fresh accusations that he has been benefitting from UMak College of Nursing, saying he has not received any shares from it.
Binay’s spokesman, Joey Salgado said, Trillanes was just “trying in vain to discredit another good project of the Vice President.”
“For his edification, the Vice President was an incorporator of the joint venture between STI and UMak in his capacity as mayor and chair of UMak’s board of trustees,” Salagado said in a text message to reporters.
“Did he receive any shares or remuneration? None. Did UMak release money to the joint venture? No. It’s 40 share represents among others, the use of facilities to the students,” he said.
“Did Makati gain from the joint venture? Definitely. It earned from the joint venture and produced hundreds of graduates in nursing and related fields. It also posted a passing rate of 70 percent to 77 percent in licensure exams,” Salgado pointed out.
Trillanes claimed that it was the Makati government who pays for the tuition and other fees of their scholars at the College of Nursing. AC