COA chief: Makati projects not yet cleared

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Audit (COA) Chair Grace Pulido Tan on Tuesday debunked Vice President Jejomar Binay's claims that her agency had cleared the allegedly anomalous projects in Makati City.

During the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee inquiry into the Makati City Hall II parking building, Tan pointed out that the COA does not "clear" anyone or any project or transaction in its audits.

"If we are talking about a piece of paper that says you are cleared, you're okay, no, we don't issue anything like that," Tan said.

In his affidavit submitted to the Senate sub-panel, Binay maintained that there was nothing illegal in the construction of the costly parking building.

He said there were no audit observation memos or disallowances by the resident COA in the years during construction.

Tan, however, said this does not necessarily mean that the project has been cleared of any anomaly.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV then criticized Binay for claiming that the controversial Makati projects have been declared off the hook.

"Dito makikita ng mga kababayan natin kung paano nila nililinlang ang mga tao," he said.

Binay and his family are accused of pocketing public funds as kickbacks from various allegedly overpriced projects such as the Makati City Hall II parking building and the Makati City Science High School building.