The Sandiganbayan has categorically belied being “swayed by external forces” in handling the Makati City Hall car park building cases against former Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr. No more, no less.”In an 11-page resolution dated April 19, the court sustained its Feb. 5 resolution which denied Binay’s motion to quash the graft, malversation and falsification charges against him. Duty-boundBut the Sandiganbayan said that without a temporary restraining order from the high tribunal, it was “duty-bound to proceed with the trial” of his P1.486 billion bid-rigging cases. ADVERTISEMENTAs a longtime mayor of Makati City, Binay was accused of approving the first three phases of the city hall car park’s construction despite alleged irregularities and fraud to make it appear that a public bidding process had taken place. His son and successor, former Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., is facing similar charges for continuing the project’s first few phases and approving the last two.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 29, 2018 21:00 UTC