Binay investigation

SEARCH FOR TRUTH By Ernesto M. Maceda (The Philippine Star)

Nacionalista Party (NP) Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation into the alleged overpricing of an 11-storey New Makati City Hall II Parking Building — that the city government supposedly built for P1.601 billion.

The senator is also inviting Vice President Jejomar Binay and Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay to a committee hearing.

The Trillanes resolution calling for a probe was referred to the Senate blue ribbon committee, headed by Senator T.G. Guingona.

But surprisingly, Senator Koko Pimentel III, who parted ways with Binay over differences in picking UNA candidates in 2013, asked Guingona to designate him as the chair to investigate the matter. Guingona agreed.

Allies of Vice President Binay questioned the Senate’s creation of a sub-committee under the blue ribbon committee to investigate the matter.

Acting Minority Leader Tito Sotto questioned if the creation of a sub-committee is allowed by the rules, saying that if the committee chair would decline to preside over the hearing, the vice-chair should take over.

Trillanes wants the committee to further look into various allegations, including the Binays’ overpricing construction of the 22-storey Makati City Hall Building at the average cost of P240,000 per square meter and the “related anomalies” allegedly committed by former and current officials of the City of Makati.

One relevant issue: Since VP Binay pulled out of the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas (PDP)-Laban partnership, which is headed by Pimentel, the relations between Pimentel and VP Binay are strained. In fact, Pimentel has admitted that he and Binay are not in talking terms. It is, therefore, questionable if Pimentel can conduct a fair investigation.

Guingona should take charge of chairing the investigation which Pimentel can attend as a member.

Better yet, Pimentel for delicadeza should give up his request to chair the probe.

Senator Nancy Binay said that impeachment charges can be filed against her father instead of a Senate investigation.

Vice President Jejomar Binay justified the construction of the allegedly overpriced building at the Makati city hall. He said it is only logical for Makati to construct a beautiful government office.

“Makati has the funds. It is a government office, not a parking building. There are only parts, just a few floors. It is a government office. Because of the luxury of space, if you go there, there is a need for a parking space. I repeat, it is not a parking building. There is a portion, but basically, it is an office,” Binay said.

Binay welcomed the investigation that will be conducted by the Senate.

Palparan arrested

It took a combined force of NBI Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Naval Intelligence Security Force Counter Intelligence (NISFCI) and Naval Reserve Command (NRC), and AFP Task Force “RUNWAY” after almost 3 years, to arrest Major General Jovito Palparan.

He was captured at an old house at the corner of Teresa and Valenzuela streets in Old Sta. Mesa where he had been staying for three months — that’s ironically near one of the bastions of student activism, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Palparan, who’s respected by troops for his hardline stand against the NPA, immediately said he was innocent of the kidnapping and torturing of activists charges against him.

But an assistant state prosecutor, Juan Pedro Navera said “flight means guilt” and he, therefore, has responsibility for the disappearance of University of Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

Other fugitives still at large are former Dinagat Congressman Ruben Ecleo and former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the law enforcers will continue to hunt them down.

Jinggoy running

Mayor Joseph Estrada said Tuesday that his son Senator Jinggoy Estrada is still open to running for vice president in 2016, who is reportedly being groomed to be the running-mate of Vice President Binay.

Father and son are confident that Jinggoy would be acquitted of the plunder and graft charges against him in time for the campaign season for the next national elections.

Erap said he intends to talk to Vice President Jejomar Binay this week.

Water shortage

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is predicting water rationing early next year should a moderate El Niño weather phenomenon hit the country in the fourth quarter of this year.

Tidbits

The European Union (EU) is providing a grant of P1.8 billion to support the Philippine Health Sector System.

Palawan 2nd District Rep. Frederick Abueg filed House bill No. 4664 seeking to increase senior citizens discount from 20% to 30%.

Child abuse cases have doubled to 18,000 plus.

Marine student Jerome Lopez died of a head injury after being beaten by 6 college students of Northern Philippine College for Maritime Sciences and Technology in San Fernando, La Union.

Deaths from Ebola virus have reached 1,013 in West Africa.