Category: Jejomar Binay

Ball is now with the people after Senate ends Binay probe

Ellen

Senators Koko Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes IV, Alan Cayetano at the final hearing, Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee on Makati anomalies. Photo from DZRH.

Senators Koko Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes IV, Alan Cayetano at the final hearing, Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee on Makati anomalies. Photo from DZRH.

Now that the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee has wrapped up its hearings on the alleged anomalies in Makati under the watch of the Binays, the ball is now with the Ombudsman and the Filipino people.

In his opening statement at the beginning of the 25th and last hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee Tuesday, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as chair, assured the public that “the legislative ideas based on the evidence we have gathered as well as our findings on the two resolutions shall be forthcoming. Just to remind everyone, the subcommittee’s proceedings were undertaken in aid of legislation.”

This is to debunk criticisms of the year-long investigation as primarily a vehicle to destroy Vice President Jojo Binay, who is a presidential candidate in the 2016 elections.

The Senate investigation was triggered by two resolutions filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in August 2014. The probe started with the alleged P1.6 Billion overpricing of the 11-Storey New Makati City Hall II Parking Building.

Like Pandora’s Box, the investigation on the parking building led to more alleged anomalies and discovery of the mindboggling wealth of the Binays including a sprawling hacienda in Batangas.

The investigations expanded to include alleged overpricing the 22-Storey Makati City Hall Building, irregular transactions entered into by the Home Development Mutual Fund/PAG-IBIG Fund and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines under the leadership of Binay.

It uncovered alleged irregularities in the University of Makati Nursing Building; Makati Science High School Building; supplies for Ospital ng Makati; and University of Makati – STI Joint Venture Agreement.

Vice President Jojo Binay campaigning in Antipolo City.

Vice President Jojo Binay campaigning in Antipolo City.

Other irregularities that surfaced during the investigation included ghost employees; the award of government land to an unqualified private corporation; Meriras Realty and Development Corporation property in COMEMBO, Makati; Makati City Senior Citizens’ Benefits; Makati City Sister cities; Makati Friendship Suites; and Makati Homeville.

Graft and plunder cases have been filed against Binay, his son Junjun, who was then the Makati mayor, and his associates Gerardo Limlingan, Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy and others. The whereabouts of Limlingan and Baloloy have been a mystery since the report of the alleged anomalies in Makati broke out.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said earlier that the information gathered by the Senate has helped a lot in their building of the case against the Binays.

Junjun Binay has been dismissed as mayor and is perpetually barred from holding public office. The Anti-Money Laundering Council has frozen identified accounts of Binay and his associates.

Once the Ombudsman has established probable cause on the charges against Binay and his associates, the information will be filed with the Sandiganbayan. Warrants of arrest would be issued.

Legal observers said based on what have so far been reported, the vice president would be charged with graft which is bailable. He can continue with his campaign for the presidency. Junjun Binay, Limlingan and Baloloy would be included in the plunder cases, which are unbailable.

Limlingan and Baloloy have succeeded evading summons from the Senate but once warrants of arrest for them are out, the Interpol would be mobilized to find them.

In the recent survey of the Social Weather Stations, it was shown that Binay has recovered from his decline in popularity ratings during the Senate investigation last year and has taken again the lead among presidential candidates in the May 2016 elections.
Pimentel said if Binay wins the presidency, he would be immune from suits. Any charges of graft or plunder would have to wait after his term.

The Senate has done its job. It’s now up to the people.

Harry Roque aims for a congressional seat through partylist

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Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo's attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

I’m so glad that lawyer Harry Roque has decided to go via the party list in his entry into politics. He is no longer joining Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance ticket.

In his meeting with members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Bacolod yesterday, Roque announced that he will be the first nominee of the party list Kalusugan, Pabahay, Kabuhayan or Kabayan which describes itself as “ a multi-sector party that represents Filipinos in various marginalized but highly important sectors in Philippine society” in the 2016 elections.

Roque said being with Kabayan “is more consistent with my human rights advocacy.”

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Harry is a good friend. He and his law firm, Roque and Butuyan law office, supported us in our fight against attempts by Gloria Arroyo and her husband Mike Arroyo to intimidate media by filing libel suits left and right.
Harry also was with us when took the Arroyo officials to court for arresting us after the Manila Peninsula siege involving Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in November 2009.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

It’s not only I whom Harry has helped. He took on, pro bono, the case of then Marine first Lieutenant (now Major) Artemio Raymundo,who was subjected to a court martial for having shared with fellow soldiers the CDs “Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa,” a bio-pic of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Raymundo was acquitted. He has resumed his military career and is now assigned at the Marine Brigade in Palawan.

Harry has always wanted to try to be part of government. Although he was in the forefront in the fight against Gloria Arroyo’s fraudulent presidency and campaigned actively for Benigno Aquino III in 2010, he was not part of any favored group in the Aquino administration.

He thought that he could pursue his political plans through UNA’s senatorial ticket.

It was very hard to reconcile Harry Roque with Binay given the anomalies that have been exposed by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that started with the investigation of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Parking Building2.

The entourage of Binay in his provincial sorties include characters like Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.
Harry said there were two recent incidents that made him decide not to be part of Binay’s 2016 ticket.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter's brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter’s brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

When Binay decided to go to the wake of Arturo Macapagal, brother of Gloria Arroyo, at the Heritage Park two weeks ago, where the former vice-president was also reported to be going, the usual entourage was also expected to accompany him.

Harry’s daughter expressed her disgust which he himself shared.

Then they were notified that Binay was going to Maguindanao and their host would be an Ampatuan.
That was IT for Harry, who is counsel for 15 of the 58 victims of the November 2009 massacre perpetrated by the family of the late Andal Ampatuan Sr.

The past two weeks, Roque has been going around solo and he said he feels good about the reactions of the people he has met.
***
If you can’t counter the truth, spread lies.

That’s this issue or non-issue about the consultants of Sen. Antonio Trillanes III.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Here’s Trillanes’ statement:

“I categorically deny that I am using Senate funds for my household and personal expenses.

“The names mentioned in a newspaper article published today are legitimate consultants. Some were employed as confidential agents in relation to the ongoing Senate investigation regarding Binay anomalies; while others are doing field research, staff work, and other auxiliary services assigned to them.

“This consultancy issue was already cleared by the Commission on Audit, and up to this day, it has not issued any notice of disallowance regarding the same. In fact, the Senate has already met with COA, and it was concluded that there is nothing illegal with the Senators’ consultancy services expenses.

“I believe that this trivial issue is basically just a hatchet job to tarnish my anti-corruption efforts. I have been imprisoned for more than 7 years fighting for this advocacy and I’m not about to stop now. Just the same, be assured that not a single centavo of the funds entrusted to my office was pocketed.”

One report noted that most of Trillanes’ consultants are members of the Magdalo, a group of military officers who rebelled against Gloria Arroyo in July 2003.

So? You expect Trillanes to hire for his Senate staff members of UNA?

The dirty-trick operator should be told that aside from being graduates of the Philippine Miltiary Academy, most of those officers were able to obtain their Master’s degree in Public Administration during their 7 years in detention.

Harry Roque aims for a congressional seat through partylist

Ellen Leave a comment

Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo's attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

I’m so glad that lawyer Harry Roque has decided to go via the party list in his entry into politics. He is no longer joining Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance ticket.

In his meeting with members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Bacolod yesterday, Roque announced that he will be the first nominee of the party list Kalusugan, Pabahay, Kabuhayan or Kabayan which describes itself as “ a multi-sector party that represents Filipinos in various marginalized but highly important sectors in Philippine society” in the 2016 elections.

Roque said being with Kabayan “is more consistent with my human rights advocacy.”

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Harry is a good friend. He and his law firm, Roque and Butuyan law office, supported us in our fight against attempts by Gloria Arroyo and her husband Mike Arroyo to intimidate media by filing libel suits left and right.
Harry also was with us when took the Arroyo officials to court for arresting us after the Manila Peninsula siege involving Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in November 2009.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

It’s not only I whom Harry has helped. He took on, pro bono, the case of then Marine first Lieutenant (now Major) Artemio Raymundo,who was subjected to a court martial for having shared with fellow soldiers the CDs “Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa,” a bio-pic of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Raymundo was acquitted. He has resumed his military career and is now assigned at the Marine Brigade in Palawan.

Harry has always wanted to try to be part of government. Although he was in the forefront in the fight against Gloria Arroyo’s fraudulent presidency and campaigned actively for Benigno Aquino III in 2010, he was not part of any favored group in the Aquino administration.

He thought that he could pursue his political plans through UNA’s senatorial ticket.

It was very hard to reconcile Harry Roque with Binay given the anomalies that have been exposed by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that started with the investigation of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Parking Building2.

The entourage of Binay in his provincial sorties include characters like Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.
Harry said there were two recent incidents that made him decide not to be part of Binay’s 2016 ticket.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter's brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter’s brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

When Binay decided to go to the wake of Arturo Macapagal, brother of Gloria Arroyo, at the Heritage Park two weeks ago, where the former vice-president was also reported to be going, the usual entourage was also expected to accompany him.

Harry’s daughter expressed her disgust which he himself shared.

Then they were notified that Binay was going to Maguindanao and their host would be an Ampatuan.
That was IT for Harry, who is counsel for 15 of the 58 victims of the November 2009 massacre perpetrated by the family of the late Andal Ampatuan Sr.

The past two weeks, Roque has been going around solo and he said he feels good about the reactions of the people he has met.
***
If you can’t counter the truth, spread lies.

That’s this issue or non-issue about the consultants of Sen. Antonio Trillanes III.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Here’s Trillanes’ statement:

“I categorically deny that I am using Senate funds for my household and personal expenses.

“The names mentioned in a newspaper article published today are legitimate consultants. Some were employed as confidential agents in relation to the ongoing Senate investigation regarding Binay anomalies; while others are doing field research, staff work, and other auxiliary services assigned to them.

“This consultancy issue was already cleared by the Commission on Audit, and up to this day, it has not issued any notice of disallowance regarding the same. In fact, the Senate has already met with COA, and it was concluded that there is nothing illegal with the Senators’ consultancy services expenses.

“I believe that this trivial issue is basically just a hatchet job to tarnish my anti-corruption efforts. I have been imprisoned for more than 7 years fighting for this advocacy and I’m not about to stop now. Just the same, be assured that not a single centavo of the funds entrusted to my office was pocketed.”

One report noted that most of Trillanes’ consultants are members of the Magdalo, a group of military officers who rebelled against Gloria Arroyo in July 2003.

So? You expect Trillanes to hire for his Senate staff members of UNA?

The dirty-trick operator should be told that aside from being graduates of the Philippine Miltiary Academy, most of those officers were able to obtain their Master’s degree in Public Administration during their 7 years in detention.

The story of two unreceived notices: 1.Binays of Makati

Ellen Leave a comment

Binay supporters throw monobloc chairs at police

Binay supporters throw monobloc chairs at police

Is the scene in Makati – Mayor Junjun Binay defying the Ombudsman’s suspension order – a preview of a Jejomar Binay presidency?

Early evening news yesterday reported that finally, the suspension order by the Office of the Ombudsman of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay was served. But not without violence.

Supporters of the Binays were seen throwing monobloc chairs at police officers. Vice President Jejomar Binay was also seen berating Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, deputy director of the Southern Police District (SPD), accusing the latter of preventing their supporters from entering the City hall premises where they were holding a rally/vigil.

This second suspension on Junjun Binay is in connection with the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati Science High School.

As of this writing, the Court of Appeals has not issued a temporary restraining order being asked by Binay.
It will be recalled that last March the CA stopped the suspension of Binay in connection with the overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2. The Ombudsman questioned before the Supreme Court the legality of the CA TRO.

The public is awaiting the SC’s decision on that case.

Yesterday, amidst Binay’s defiance, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales issued the following statement:

“The Office of the Ombudsman is independent and performs its mandate according to law and the evidence. It will never succumb to any perceived pressure or be blinded or deafened by political grandstanding. It will not tolerate open defiance of constitutional processes or calls for mob rule. This is about the right of the Filipino people to hold their public servants to the highest bar of accountability and to bring them before the bar of justice if they are accused of betraying the public trust.

“Public office is a public trust. No official, from the lowest to the highest, is exempt from accountability. When the Office of the Ombudsman, in accordance with its Constitutional mandate, finds compelling grounds to issue a preventive suspension order, it will do so.

“Preventive suspension is not punitive as it is preventive in nature meant to protect the integrity of the investigation process. Public interest requires that those in positions of power and authority do not have the opportunity to tamper with public documents and harass witnesses to frustrate the ends of justice.”

Watch the full video here:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/06/30/15/full-video-binay-supporters-throw-chairs-cops

Poe overtakes Binay in Magdalo survey of Lingayen-Lucena corridor

Ellen Leave a comment

Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay

Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay

The latest survey conducted by the Magdalo Group among voters in vote-rich Lingayen-Lucena corridor has Sen. Grace Poe leading the 2016 presidential race.

Conducted two weeks ago (May 18 to 20) among 3,000 respondents, the Magdalo survey, just like what they did in their national survey last April,had two scenarios.

Scenario One had 10 candidates while Scenario Two had five candidates.

In both scenarios,Poe leads the contest.

In Scenario One, 30 per cent of the respondents said they want her to be the next president.

This is the first survey that puts Poe in the lead. This is not suprising as her ratings had been consistently increasing while the numbers of Vice President Jejomar Binay has been going down since the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee on the overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building 2 and other anomalous projects involving him.

Still, Binay placed second with 25.7 percent followed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada with 11.5 per cent. Sen. Miriam Santiago was fourth with 8.8 per cent.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party and independent Sen. Chiz Escudero had the same score: five percent.

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte got 4.4 per cent of the respondents’ nod; Sen. Alan Cayetano 4.9; Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr, 2,8; and former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, 2.5.

In Scenario Two, the names given to the respondents were Poe, Binay, Roxas, Cayetano, and Duterte.
Poe led with 43.5 percent while Binay got 31.2 per cent.

Roxas moved to third place but with less than ten (9.8) per cent followed by Cayetano with 7.9 per cent and Duterte, 6.6 per cent.

Historically the Lingayen-Lucena corridor is the most vote-rich area in the country. It covers the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac and Zambales.

Comprising 40 per cent of the total number of voters in the country, the corridor usually determines the winners in the election.

Ironically, Poe’s father, movie actor Fernando Poe Jr, was the only post-1986 People Power election winner in the Lingayen-Lucena corridor who was not proclaimed president.

That was in the 2004 elections which was marred by the “Hello Garci” controversy, a taped conversation between Gloria Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on how to manipulate the canvassing of the votes to make her win by at least one million votes over FPJ.

It was said that the “Hello Garci” cheating in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was triggered by the massive lead by FPJ over Arroyo in the Lingayen-Lucena corridor. The Arroyo camp panicked when the votes from that area came in she had to call Garcillano and order him to give her enough votes from ARMM to offset FPJ’s lead. That resulted in the tampering of certificates of canvass. There were several cases of the number of votes in the COCs exceeding the number of registered voters in the area.

Households covered by the Lingayen-Lucena corridor are the most urbanized in the country. It has the highest concentration of television, radio and internet connections, which are the main sources of information of voters.

The Magdalo group has been conducting surveys since the first senatorial run of its leader, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, in 2007. The survey is designed and supervised by Trillanes’ chief-of-staff , Rolando “Oyie” Averilla.