Binay accusers visit BSP Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Two accusers of Vice President Jejomar Binay were in Cebu  City yesterday.

Lawyer Renato Bondal and former Makati City vice mayor Ernesto Mercado visited Cebu upon the invitation of Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Cebu Council president Hernando Streegan.

“I came here to BSP Cebu because I was invited by the Local Council to discuss things for the information of the Council and the Cebuanos what had inspired me to file a case against Binay because the money involved here is coming from the people being a member through BSP fees,” Mercado said.

Bondal and Mercado handed out to the council documents from the Commission on Audit supposedly showing that the BSP is currently facing a huge problem after Binay allegedly invested P600 million to Alphaland Corporation without a share of the return of investment.

“We gave them a copy of the documents and it is up to them on what actions to take. Maybe they will come up with a decision or a resolution on the matter,” Bondal said.

Mercado earlier accused the BSP headed by Binay and Alphaland Corporation of involvement in anomalies in the commercial development of the one-hectare BSP property in Makati City.

Binay and Alphaland already both denied any irregularities in the transaction.

Two local council members, who requested anonymity, expressed their sentiments against Mercado, saying they don’t want BSP-Cebu to be used by Mercado in his fight against Binay.

“Wa g’yud me kauyon sa iyang presensya kay madamay lang ang Cebu sa ilang problema nga nahimo nang personal,” they said, adding “Anyway, naa na man ‘na sa proper forum. Let the wheels of justice take its course.”

Bondal also earlier accused Binay of corruption in the construction of the Makati carpark building.

Bondal and Mercado are scheduled to attend the Senate hearing on March 11 on the Alphaland controversy.

Binay’s camp has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying everything is political harassment aimed at preventing him from running for president in 2016. — (FREEMAN)