Elenita takes P45-M graft rap to SC

MANILA, Philippines — Former Makati mayor Elenita Binay has brought to the Supreme Court (SC) her bid to block the prosecution evidence in the graft and malversation cases against her in the Sandiganbayan involving the alleged anomalous purchase of P45 million worth of supplies for the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).

In a 22-page petition filed yesterday, Binay asked the High Court to reverse and set aside the Sept. 7 and Oct. 8, 2018 decisions of the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division that dismissed her motion to exclude several pieces of documentary evidence presented by the prosecutors.

Binay alleged that the Sandiganbayan committed grave abuse of discretion in admitting the evidence of the prosecution despite the lack of original and authenticated copies of the documents.

She said the prosecution only presented photocopies during the trial while some documents failed to be authenticated by its legal custodian, such as those presented by former vice mayor Ernesto Mercado during his testimony.

The wife of former vice president Jejomar Binay was charged with two counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and malversation of public funds.

Binay was specifically accused of having a hand in the irregular purchase of hospital beds, cabinets and dry-heat sterilizers through direct contracting from Apollo Medical Equipment and Supplies and its proprietor Apollo Carreon.

Aside from this case, Binay is also facing graft charges in connection with the supposed anomalous purchase of office partitions and furniture worth P72.06 million in 1999 during her term as Makati mayor.