Binay foresees series of graft complaints

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar Binay believes that the recently filed plunder complaint against him was the first among many that his political opponents lined up.

"Believe me, this is only the beginning. We expect more to come," Binay said in a state news report.

He denied allegations of overpricing against him and his son, Makati Mayor Erwin Jejomar Binay, in a construction project in his hometown.

"Like the one filed on Tuesday, these complaints will be devoid of facts, devoid of legal basis and fueled by dirty politics that was supposed to have been swept away with the previous administration," he said.

Binay also echoed his son's statements that the move was by opponents who lost in the Makati City elections. Binay said they are supported by a group of lawyers associated with a certain prominent political personality.

Read: Junjun Binay: Plunder case filed by losers amid father's lead in poll survey

"This known group of lawyers have been trying to resurrect dismissed cases against him," Binay said, refusing to mention the lawyers' group and its alleged ally.

The vice president also believes that his opponents aim to drive a wedge between him and President Aquino.

"It appears that there is a deeper agenda at play. They want me to think that the Palace is orchestrating the filing of this baseless complaint against me and my son to divert attention from the impeachment complaints filed against the President," Binay said.

Lawyer Renato Bondal, former barangay chair of Palanan and Nicolas Enciso VI, ex-barangay chief of Olimpia, claimed in their complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman that the New Makati City parking building was overpriced by P1.3 billion.

Binay, who openly acknowledges his plans to run for president, said that more dismissed cases will be resurrected in the coming months as the 2016 election nears.

"This complaint is no exception, although we have been informed that this time around, our local opponents have been provided with the needed resources, financial and otherwise, by certain national interest groups," he said.