ZAMBALES, Philippines (UPDATED) – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has issued a hold departure order (HDO) against dismissed Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr and his co-accused in the alleged anomalous Makati City Hall Parking Building II.
Sandiganbayan Third Division Presiding Judge Amparo Cabotaje-Tang confirmed this to Rappler on Wednesday, March 9.
"Yes, it was released for service to bid on March 2, per record with the 3rd division," Tang said in a text message.
Binay is facing two counts of graft and 6 counts of falsification of documents before the Sandiganbayan.
"Procedural lang 'yan. Nagpiyansa na ko e (That's merely procedural. I already posted bail)," Binay told Rappler on the sidelines of the sortie of his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay here.
He posted P204,000-bail on February 26.
Asked if he had any plans to fly out of the country, Binay replied: "Saan naman ako pupunta? (Where else will I go?)"
He said his lawyers advised him that should he wish to leave the country, he needs to secure a permission and also promise to return to the Philippines.
"Sinabi naman namin na we will submit ourselves dun sa competent court and kasama ito dun sa proseso (We already said that we will submit ourselves to a competent court and this is part of that process)," Binay added.
Tang said the court also issued HDOs against other former Makati city hall officials who face similar charges as Binay:
- Marjorie de Veyra, city administrator
- Gerardo San Gabriel, bids and awards committee vice chair and General Services Department chief
- Pio Kenneth Dasal, city legal officer
- Lorenza Amores, city budget officer
- Manolito Uyaco, BAC secretariat head and Internal Management Control Officer.
- Rodel Nayve, BAC technical working group chairman
- Nelia Barlis, city treasurer
- Connie Consulta, civil engineer
- Line dela Pena, central planning management office chief
- Cecilio Lim III, city accountant
- Efren N. Canlas, executive of Hilmarc's Construction Corporation
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed Binay in October 2015 for alleged irregularities in the design and architecture of the P2.28-billion city infrastructure project, undertaken from 2007-2013.
The Ombudsman also found probable cause to indict Vice President Jejomar Binay, Makati mayor for 21 years, over the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II. – Rappler.com