WHAT WENT BEFORE: Binay and the Makati Science High School building case

 A portion of payments for Hillmarc’s, which built the Makati Science High School building. PHOTOS BY GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

In June 2015, a team of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman recommended the filing of charges against former Vice President Jejomar Binay and 20 others in connection with the alleged rigging of the bidding for the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School building.

The charges involved violation of antigraft and corrupt practices laws, falsification of public documents, violation of the code and ethical standards for public officials, violation of the procurement act, dishonesty and grave misconduct.

The investigators said the “bid and award of the contract for the construction, architectural and engineering services for Makati Science High School were rigged and prearranged to favor Hilmarc’s Corp.”

The project, built in six phases in 2007-2014, cost P1.3 billion when the original estimated cost was only P470 million, according to the complaint filed by lawyer Renato Bondal and members of a group of anticorruption advocates in December 2014.

Construction started when the Vice President was still mayor of Makati and continued through the administration of his son.

With 54 classrooms, the building was worth P72,500 per square meter when the amount should have been only P25,620 per sq m, based on 2013 pricing, Bondal said.

Binay has denied all accusations against him, including allegations that he received kickbacks from infrastructure projects when he was mayor and used dummies to hide his wealth. —INQUIRER RESEARCH

Source: Inquirer Archives