COA team recommends sanctions vs Vice President Binay over Makati parking building

MANILA — The Commission on Audit special team has recommended sanctions against Vice President Jejomar Binay based on several administrative violations he committed in the construction of the Makati City parking building, a COA report, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, stated.

The 12-member team of the COA special audit found Binay who is running for president in the May elections administratively liable for grave misconduct, dishonesty, gross inexcusable negligence, and graft and corrupt practices.

The sanctions endorsed by the 12-member special audit team against Binay, a presidential candidate in the May 9 elections, were removal from office, fine and imprisonment.

Had he been an ordinary elected official, Binay could have been ordered removed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman based on the strong evidence that the audit team said it had gathered.

But under the Constitution, a vice president, like the president could only be removed from office through impeachment proceedings.

The report said that Binay should be meted administrative disciplinary action for violation of COA circulars and memorandum in his capacity as the head of the procuring entity from 2007 to 2010.

“Any unjustified failure of the officials and employees concerned to comply with the requirements herein imposed shall be subject to the administrative disciplinary action provided in section 127 of presidential decree no 1445; section 55, Title I- B, Book V of the revised administrative code of 1987 and section 11 of Republic Act no 6713,’’ the report said.

The report stated that “the construction of the Makati Parking Building 2 from phase 1 to 5 totalling P2.8 billion showed irregularities from budgeting to procurement to execution resulting in the misuse of public funds.’’

It also said that the grant by the Makati City government of undue advantages to Hilmarc’s Construction company and MANA caused injury to the government.

The audit team also found that the contract for the architectural and engineering services for the Makati City Hall Parking Building 2 with MANA for P11,974,900 “is not covered with an appropriation, awarded through simulated bidding and payments thereof, were not supported with the documents and information required by law.’’

The sanctions against Binay were endorsed by the 12-member audit and was approved by the Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano contained in a 148-page report.  SFM