Former Makati exec slams Mercado over building raps

MANILA, Philippines - Former Makati City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra on Tuesday  said former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado has no credibility being a witness in the ongoing Senate probe into the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2.

De Veyra, in a statement, said Mercado lost credibility when he admitted personally gaining from the project.

“While vice mayor, he was known to frequent casinos here and abroad, where he is considered a high-roller and given five-star treatment by casino operators. He is known to lose millions in cockfights. We wondered how he was able to afford such a high-living lifestyle but his admission of personally gaining from the Building 2 project gives us the answer,” De Veyra said in a statement.

De Veyra added that Mercado’s statements are self-serving since he did not give any proof to back allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“He has been saying bad things about the Binays since 2010 when he ran and lost against Mayor Junjun Binay. But he has not given any proof because he does not have any,” she said.

De Veyra, in her statement, said she speaks as the former city administrator with first-hand knowledge about Mercado’s activities.

“An investigation conducted showed he abused the trust and confidence given to him by the Vice President, who was mayor at that time. Department heads have confirmed receiving calls or personal visits from the former vice mayor during his term,” she said.

De Veyra said it is not uncommon for Mercado to personally hand-carry documents or checks for their signature. “These were done without the knowledge or consent of VP Binay who was Mayor at that time,” she said.

The sudden “change of heart” of Mercado is part of his effort to pre-empt the filing of charges against him by the city government, she added.