Binay's dollar accounts undeclared in SALN: ex-vice mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Thursday bared Vice President Jejomar Binay's alleged hidden foreign bank accounts.

In his testimony during the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigation, Mercado showed copies of some of Binay's alleged time deposits and balance statements in various Hong Kong banks.

Mercado said there were also bank accounts under the names of Ebeng Baloloy and Gerry Limlingan, Binay's alleged long-time aides.

He had claimed in a previous Senate hearing that he personally delivered Binay's kickbacks to Baloloy and Limlingan.

Mercado pointed out that Binay's declared cash in his past SALNs were significantly lower than the cash in his alleged bank accounts in Hong Kong.

Mercado said the finance documents were obtained from two balikbayan boxes provided by one of Binay's men.

"Na-shock ho ako nung makita ko ho doon sa pinadala sa aking dalawang balikbayan boxes. Si VP Binay po pala, 1988 pa lang ay milyonaryo na e," he said.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee, said the investigation will no longer pursue Mercado's newest revelation in the next hearings since it is not covered by the inquiry's objective.

The sub-committee is probing the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall II parking building.