Binay should respond to allegations amid COA report, says Poe

By: Maila Ager - 9 years ago

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

Vice President Jejomar Binay should answer the allegations against him now that the Commission on Audit (COA) found irregularities in several infrastructure projects in Makati City, including the controversial 11-story parking building, Senator Grace Poe has said.

Poe believes that the COA findings would further strengthen the case against Binay.

She was among the senators, who signed a committee report that recommended the filing of plunder and graft charges against Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall parking building.

READ: Poe signs report vs Binay

“Nararapat lamang na ‘yung mga naging bunga ‘nung imbestigasyon namin sa Senado ay mabigyan din ng katumbas na pruweba galing sa COA. So kung ito ay magiging basehan sa pagsampa ng kaso sa korte, sa tingin ko magiging matibay na ebidensya ito,” she said at a press conference in Malabon City Thursday night.

“Pero kinakailangan talaga idaan sa mabilis at maayos na prosesong legal, at naniniwala ako na dapat bilang isang kandidato, isang tumatakbo (sa pagkapangulo), kinakailangan pa ring sagutin ang mga alegasyon na ‘yan,” she added.

(It is only right that the fruits of our Senate investigation are given corresponding proof from the COA. So, if this would be the basis for the filing of charges in court, then I think this would be strong evidence.

But it really has to go through a fast and efficient legal process and I believe that as a presidential candidate, these allegations have to be responded to.)

Poe and Binay are now neck-and-neck in the 2016 May presidential race based on various pre-election surveys.

READ: Poe leads, Marcos rises in People Power week poll

In its 148-page audit report, the COA said Binay and son, Junjun, unlawfully approved supplemental budgets amounting to P14 billion from 2007 to 2011 to fund several infrastructure projects during their tenure as mayors of Makati City.

READ: ‘Binays’ approval of P14-B budget illegal’

The amount included the P2.8 billion for the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II when the Vice President was still mayor in 2008. CDG