UNA slams ‘selective prosecution’ of Binay

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang was criticized yesterday for being hell-bent on trying to “convict at all costs” Vice President Jejomar Binay and other political leaders not allied with the administration.

In a statement, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the selective nature of the Office of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation on the Vice President, his son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., and 22 others over the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II has become glaring after prosecutors dropped Mario Hechanova, the former Makati procurement officer who admitted before the Senate that he had rigged the bidding.

“Hechanova has admitted rigging the bidding,” he said.

“He made everybody believe that the documents and process were correct. But he was not included in the investigation because he is an ally of Binay’s detractors.” 

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president said the Senate is continuing the investigation on the Makati City Hall Building II  after terminating the hearing on the slaughter of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to protect the people responsible.