Manila: A group of senators from the ruling coalition of Philippines’ President Benigno Aquino has called for the arrest of Jejomar Binar Jr., the Mayor of Makati City, for the contempt of Senate hearings in a plunder and graft case. Binay, the son of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, has been accused of profiting from overpriced government infrastructure projects in Makati, the country’s financial district.
Senator Teofisto Guingona approved the recommendation of Senator Aquilino Pimentel that Binay should be arrested for not appearing before the senate hearings.
Five other members of the local government unit of Makati City, city administrators Eleno Mendoza, Eduviges Baloloy, former city administrators Marjori de Veyra, Engineer Line deal Pena, and Bernadette Portallano were also cited for contempt and ordered arrested.
“I am ordering the senate sergeant at arms to serve the detention order,” said Guingona.
Vice-President Binay, his son, and 21 other officials of the local government of Makati City were charged with plunder before the Ombudsman, for their alleged involvement in the building of overpriced municipal hall of Makati City.
A second plunder complaint was filed against the same set of officials and 10 other executives of a construction firm for alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati Science High School.
Cases are yet to be elevated to the Sandiganbayan, an anti-graft court.
The infrastructure projects were built at a time when Vice-President Binay was mayor of Makati City. At the time, his son was also with the local government of Makati City.
Vice-President Binay said the complaints were meant to damage him because of his intention to run for the presidency in 2016.
The senators who have been conducting hearings on the complaints belong to the ruling coalition led by President Aquino.
