The antigraft court on Wednesday admonished the prosecution panel of the Ombudsman for not being able to present documents related to the graft and falsification charges against dismissed Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.
“Should not the court accuse Ombudsman of contempt for assigning lawyers who are not in possession of documents?” said Sandiganbayan Justice Samuel Martires.
The prosecution was not able to present the first resolution finding probable cause to file charges against Binay as it had yet to be transmitted to the Ombudsman along with the other documents, said prosecutor Jacinto de la Cruz.
“What do you want us to do now? Tell the Filipino people that you are not prepared?” Martires told the prosecution.
The camp of Binay filed a motion for judicial determination of probable cause and to defer a warrant of arrest before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division.
The son of Vice President Jejomar Binay is facing charges for graft and falsification of public documents over the alleged bid rigging on the Makati City Hall Building II. The Ombudsman has yet to file malversation charges against him.
“Natutuwa kami ngayon nandito na kami sa Sandiganbayan. Dito malalaman talaga sa tamang forum na kung saan meron alituntunin para malaman kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo,” said Binay’s counsel Claro Certeza after the hearing.
“Makikita natin meron laging timing ang pag file ng kaso. Pag malapit na ang survey, pag mataas sa survey si VP Binay, saka sila gagawa ng galaw. Nakakapagtaka nandito na sa Sandigan ang mga records wala pa ang kaso,” he told reporters.
He also said the younger Binay was willing to take the witness stand.
“Magte-testify si Mayor Junjun … Haharap sila sa tamang forum. Hindi yung kung saan-saan parang palengke kung saan magbabato ng akusasyon ng walang responsibilidad sa sinasabi. Dito pag nagsinungaling ka makukulong ka,” Certeza said.
“Sa ngayon hindi pa siya dadalo dahil preliminary pa lang pero dadating ang panahon at mag-testify siya at doon niya sasabihin lahat,” he said.
The next hearing is set on April 11. RC