WE ARE reprinting this story originally titled “Binay bags P200-M PDAF: Pork train to Malacanang?” by PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas and published on our website on July 22, 2012.

WITHIN six months after he took his oath in June 2010 as the country’s 15th Vice President, Jejomar ‘Jojo’ C. Binay, had two wishes fulfilled, with a lot of help from President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and his friends in Congress.

First, Aquino granted Binay’s request to set up official residence and workplace at the newly renovated Coconut Palace in Manila, a 2.7-hectare “Imeldific” complex built in 1978 supposedly for P1.2-billion.

Second, Aquino and Congress allowed Binay to have his own pork barrel – until then the exclusive perk of lawmakers – although they later pruned his plea for P500-million pork per year to only P200 million.

Click on the photo to read the full article.

PRESIDENT AQUINO, right, with Vice President Binay during happier times| PCOO Photo

WE ARE reprinting this story originally titled “Binay bags P200-M PDAF: Pork train to Malacanang?” by PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas and published on our website on July 22, 2012.

WITHIN six months after he took his oath in June 2010 as the country’s 15th Vice President, Jejomar ‘Jojo’ C. Binay, had two wishes fulfilled, with a lot of help from President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and his friends in Congress.

First, Aquino granted Binay’s request to set up official residence and workplace at the newly renovated Coconut Palace in Manila, a 2.7-hectare “Imeldific” complex built in 1978 supposedly for P1.2-billion.

Second, Aquino and Congress allowed Binay to have his own pork barrel – until then the exclusive perk of lawmakers – although they later pruned his plea for P500-million pork per year to only P200 million.

Click on the photo to read the full article.

PRESIDENT AQUINO, right, with Vice President Binay during happier times| PCOO Photo