MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday described the "pattern of corruption" in Makati as "corruption without bounds."
The statement was released in reaction to Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza's testimony on the Senate Blue Ribbon's hearing on the allegedly overpriced P2.3 billion Makati parking building last Thursday.
"Kailangan natin akyson na walang korupsyon. Walang masama sa pagpapatayo ng parking building pero dapat singko na ginasta dito ay dapat napunta talaga sa proyekto. Pera ng taumbayan ang ginamit para dito," Cayetano said.
During the hearing on Thursday, Mendoza revealed that medical equipment purchased by Makati were overpriced by more than P61 million when Dra. Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, was still the city's mayor.
The senator said that what Commission on Audit (COA) found out on the Makati parking building was "just the tip of the iceberg" and that "we are barely scratching the surface here."
COA auditor Alexander Juliano read a report during the hearing stating that Phase 1 of the P2.3 billion Makati parking building was implemented with "undue haste" because there were no construction plans.
“Sa sinasabi niya na walang ebidenysa, hindi lang testimonya pero written evidence is coming out. Parati niyang sinasabi na hindi siya umaatras sa laban, pero bakit siya nagtatago? Siya magsabi kung saan, kung kalian haharapin niya ang mga miyembro ng committee,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano challenged Vice President Binay to cross examine the COA officials who revealed the "pattern of corruption" in Makati.
“Papayagan namin na siya na i-cross examine niya yung mga witnesses pero i-co-cross examine din namin siya para malaman natin kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo,” Cayetano added.
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