Ombudsman files charges vs Binays over Makati parking building

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday announced the filing of charges against former Makati City Mayor (now Vice President) Jejomar Binay Sr. and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. over the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Parking Building.

In a complaint filed on Thursday by the Special Panel of Investigators, the Binays and 22 others are facing malversation, falsification and violations of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act, the Office of the Ombudsman said. The filing of charges will start the preliminary probe of the case.

Also facing charges are former City Administrator Marjorie De Veyra, City Legal Officer Pio Kenneth Dasal, City Budget Officer Lorenza Amores, former Central Planning Management Office (CPMO) Chief Virginia Hernandez, former City Engineer Mario Badillo, former City Accountant Leonila Querijero, former Acting City Accountant Raydes Pestaño, City Accountant Cecilio Lim III, Acting City Accountant Eleno Mendoza,  City Treasurer Nelia Barlis, CPMO Engineers Arnel Cadangan, Emerito Magat and Connie Consulta, CPMO Chief Line Dela Peña, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat Heads Giovanni Condes and Manolito Uyaco, Technical Working Group (TWG) Chair Rodel Nayve, BAC member Ulysses Orienza, General Services Department (GSD) OIC Gerardo San Gabriel, GSD staff member Norman Flores, as well as private respondents Orlando Mateo of MANA Architecture & Interior Design Company and Efren Canlas of Hilmarc’s Construction Corp.

"The complaint was filed following months of case build-up and evidence gathering by the Special Panel composed of field investigators," the Office of the Ombudsman said.

The office added that the respondents, except Vice President Binay, face administrative charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.  "The Special Panel of Investigators also prays for the issuance of an order of preventive suspension pending administrative adjudication," the office added.

According to the complaints, the respondents awarded the P11,974,900 contract for the design and architectural services to MANA without public bidding, and that periodic payments were released to MANA without its corresponding deliverables under the contract. The office added that the bidding and the construction for Phases I and II (out of five phases) of the carpark building pushed through without a detailed engineering plan from MANA, a violation of procurement laws and regulations.

The complaint added that the procurement and award of the construction contract to Hilmarc were marred by irregularities including the use of falsified documents.