Ombudsman sacks Binay son
Lanete case
In the case of Lanete, the Ombudsman said her pork barrel allocations were “never used for the intended agricultural and livelihood projects.”
“(T)he documents submitted such as disbursement vouchers, progress and accomplishment reports, fund utilization, inspection and delivery reports and certificates of acceptance were all fabricated,” it said.
Lanete is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, after she was indicted for plunder and graft in the Sandiganbayan for allegedly siphoning off her Priority Development Assistance Fund allotments to the bogus foundations of alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.
Along with Lanete, also dismissed from government service were former Technology Resource Center officers Dennis Cunanan, Marivic Jover and Consuelo Lilian Espiritu; National Agri-Business Corp. official Victor Roman Cacal; and National Livelihood Development Corp. officials Gondelina Amata, Chita Jalandoni, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Ofelia Ordoñez, Sofia Cruz, Filipina Rodriguez and Gregoria Buenaventura.
End of Binay dynasty
The end of the Binay dynasty is what Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV believes is bound to happen with the Ombudsman’s perpetual disqualification order against the younger Binay.
“The Ombudsman’s order signals the end of the Binay dynasty. I only hope it would lead to a new era of good governance in Makati,” he said.
READ: Junjun Binay dismissal ‘end of Binay dynasty,’ says Trillanes
It was Trillanes who initiated the long-running blue ribbon subcommittee inquiry into the alleged irregularities involving the Vice President, the long-serving Makati mayor who was succeeded to the post first by his wife and then his son.
“The fight was long, difficult and bitter but in the end, truth and justice prevailed,” he said.
The Ombudsman’s order came right before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections.
The mayor, who is serving a six-month suspension, was expected to run for another term. Vice President Binay is running for President in 2016.
For nearly three decades, a member of the Binay family has always held the mayor’s post.
The other Binays holding elective office are Sen. Nancy Binay and Makati Rep. Abigail Binay.
Malacañang said it “respects” the decision of the Ombudsman dismissing Binay from office, being an office independent from the President.
“In undertaking its constitutionally mandated role, it is incumbent on all parties to abide by the decision and to avail of the legal remedies provided under the law,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. With reports from Leila Salaverria and Nikko Dizon/TVJ
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