By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the graft and falsification complaints filed against former vice president Jejomar Binay, his son Junjun, and 13 others, in connection with a number of government contracts totaling more than PHP 1.4 billion for the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School (MSHS) building.
In an 86-page resolution dated Dec. 13, 2024, the anti-graft court said it is granting the demurrer to evidence filed by the accused which seeks a dismissal of the cases.
“Another factor that bolsters good faith on the part of the accused… is the absence of audit memoranda or notices of disallowances issued by (the) Commission on Audit. Throughout the construction of six phases of MSHS buildings …not one adverse finding from COA was issued,” the tribunal added.
The case arose from complaints filed by the Ombudsman in 2015 for alleged irregularities in the construction of the MSHS, a project that cost PHP1.34 billion, as well as the procurement of architectural and engineering services for the same building worth PHP16.45 million.
The complaints claimed that the accused conspired with representatives of Infiniti Architectural Works Hilmarc Construction Corp. for a simulated bidding for the six construction phases of the project.
Also cleared from the charges were then City administrator and bids and awards committee (BAC) chairperson Marjorie De Veyra, city legal officer Pio Dasal, budget officer Lorenza Amores, accountants Leonila D.G. Querijero and Cecilio Lim III, city treasurer Nelia Barlis, BAC secretariat member Norman Flores, and other BAC members Giovanni Condes, Rodel Nayve, Eleno Mendoza, Gerardo San Gabriel, Manolito Uyaco and Ralph Liberato. (PNA)
