2 more signatures needed for plunder charge against Binay

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel needs only two more signatures on his draft report to muster the majority of the 17-member Senate blue ribbon committee that would formally recommend that plunder charges be filed against Vice President Jejomar Binay, his son and others for their alleged involvement in the overprice of the Makati City Hall Building II.

Pimentel said that so far four senators had signed the draft report and he was certain three others would also sign it. He needs nine signatures to make an official committee report.

“So two more… I haven’t talked to the other senators but if I were to solicit more signatures, I’m confident that I will get (the nine signatures),” said Pimentel, who chairs the subcommittee tasked to investigate the Makati building and other corruption allegations against

Binay.

The four senators who have signed the draft report are

Pimentel, Grace Poe, Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV.

When the draft report is signed by nine senators or majority of the committee members, Pimentel said he would submit it to the Senate secretariat so it could be considered a committee report and, from there, it would be scheduled for sponsorship and interpellation on the floor.

Sen. Serge Osmeña, in an interview over dzBB radio, said he would sign the draft report because he found it to be a “convincing presentation.”

He said Binay was welcome to attend the subcommittee hearings so he could give his side.

Osmeña said it would be best if Binay appeared at the hearings so the senators could confirm his statements in the affidavit he sent to the committee and ask him questions.

But “time is running out” for him, Pimentel said, adding that the committee would hold only three to five more hearings before concluding their inquiry.

Interviewed in the same program, Pimentel confirmed the recommendation of plunder charges against Binay, his son Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and several others by the subcommittee.

Discussing his report, Pimentel said Binay was liable because he was then Makati mayor and head of the agency that signed the document allowing the construction of the building in 2008 in phases or stages.

His son was also liable because he was the signing authority of the last two of the five construction phases of the building, he added.

Likewise, members of the bids and awards committee were also liable because they handled the bidding for the construction of the building.

Hilmarc’s executives Efren Canlas and Robert Henson were recommended charged with plunder because they allegedly conspired in the transactions while Binay’s financial adviser and longtime secretary—Gerry Limlingan and Ebeng Baloloy, respectively—were included for their involvement in the distribution of kickbacks for the project.

“[The Vice President] can always attend the hearings even if on the spot and unannounced…” he said.

Pimentel said it was all right if Binay attended the “tail end” of the hearings.