MANILA, Philippines - Aside from a 350-hectare hacienda in Batangas, Vice President Jejomar Binay also allegedly owns an eight-hectare seaside property in Dingalan, Aurora.
Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado claimed in an interview over radio dzMM that he and Binay acquired the property, which was under the name of four owners, in 1998.
"Andu'n pa rin 'yung lupa. Katunayan nga nai-turn over ko na kay VP Binay 'yung titulo ng lupa at nagpunta na nga rin si Attorney (Martin) Subido sa bayan ng Dingalan para asikasuhin 'yung paglilipat ng lupa e," Mercado said.
The former Makati vice mayor explained that it was Binay's idea to buy the property since a port will be constructed in Dingalan.
According to Mercado, the vice president's daughter, Makati Rep. Abigail Binay, collected from him the land titles that were in his possession.
"Gusto ko ma-test ko kung parehas ang pakikisama sa akin... Pinadala ko lahat ng titulo. Hanggang ngayon nasa kanila ang apat na titulo na iyon," he said.
"Balita ko nga e, kaya nagpunta si Attorney Subido du'n, e tina-try na nilang ilipat sa kanila. Ang problema lang nila e hindi nakapangalan sa kanilang 'yung mga lupa kundi nakapangalan du'n sa mga taong taga-du'n sa Dingalan," the former Makati official said.
Mercado was among those who testified at the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing against Binay on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall II parking building and the 350-hectare "Hacienda Binay" in Rosario, Batangas.
The vice president's camp has no comment yet on Mercado's new allegation.