Vice President Jejomar Binay and his adversaries, lawyer Renato Bondal and former city general services head Mario Hechanova, nearly crossed paths at Makati City Hall on Monday. But one came after the other and they were there for different reasons.
For the first time after his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay stepped down from office five days ago, the Vice President came to City Hall to attend the wedding of one of his aides in a courtroom in the building.
Binay arrived at 11 a.m. in the court of Executive Judge Selma Palacio Alaras on the 11th floor to stand as godfather to his aide and security officer Chief Insp. Anthony Tababa. Binay, accompanied by his daughter Sen. Nancy Binay and wife, former Mayor Elenita Binay, rode in a regular elevator.
Early in the afternoon, Bondal and Hechanova were seen on the 20th floor to which they had taken a VIP elevator, which is exclusive to the mayor, city officials and important guests.
They were not back on the job but were there to get evidence for their cases against the Binays.
“The resolution filed by Senator Trillanes in the subcommittee involves other anomalies. We have a team now in City Hall. We informally call it the evidence recovery team that is going through all the contracts that had been executed,” Bondal said, adding that Hechanova heads the team.
Binay had his photo taken with the newlyweds and their families and joked with his aide. But he refused to be interviewed by the media.
Speaking for the Vice President, Senator Binay said they had expected the issues thrown at them by their detractors, especially against her brother.
“We expected this scenario but the sad part is that some of the programs of the city are being stopped,” the senator said.
Bondal said everything in the city will be transparent as Mayor Romulo Peña had allowed them access to all the documents they need.
“We will be able to document the allegations of ghost employees and the contracts. I was informed that the suspended mayor procured services on a monthly basis even with the cakes, security and janitorial services. I find it strange because there was no bidding and no negotiations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Binay sought on Monday a full investigation into last week’s sinking of the MB Kim Nirvana that has killed 61 people in Ormoc City.
Binay was in Ormoc to condole with families who lost loved ones in the accident. He visited a memorial chapel and Ormoc port.
In an interview Binay said he gave financial assistance and rosaries to some of the families.
“I came here to condole with the families as well as ask questions whether the government had any shortcomings so that we could prevent a repeat of this incident,” he said.–Maricar B. Brizuela, Christine O. Avendaño