Mere allegations

This is with reference to the column of Ms. Mary Ann L. Reyes (Hidden Agenda) that appeared in the August 3, 2014 issue of Philippine STAR. In her column titled “Overpricing Issues,” Ms. Reyes tackled the issues raised by certain individuals about the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.

It is unfortunate, however, that your columnist has obviously drawn her own conclusions about the matter by merely relying on allegations that are yet to be substantiated and proven in court.

In the interest of truth and fairness, allow me to reiterate that the building in question is an office building with parking floors, and not a parking building and facility as presented by the complainants.

Makati City Hall Building II is also a green building. Thus, it has features and design details that are not found in other buildings, among them glass panelled walls and LED lighting. The building also sits on soft soil, so to ensure its stability and strength, bored piles and steel sheet piling were used for its foundation.

Atty. Renato Bondal, one of the complainants in the plunder complaint against my father, several city officials and myself, is trying to mislead the public by citing impressive-sounding comparative data. Let me refer you to the findings of the Commission on Audit dated Feb 17, 2014, conducted in direct response to a letter from Bondal dated January 10, 2014. In the said letter, Bondal asked the COA Makati auditor to explain the project cost, citing data he obtained from the National Statistics Office (NSO).

“The statistical data was derived from the copy of approved building permits being issued by building officials. Inquiry made from building officials disclosed that the building permits were based on the approved building standards and documentary requirements without evaluation of the construction cost,” the report signed by Makati Auditor Cecilia Caga-anan said.

The report signed by Auditor Caga-anan emphasized that construction cost of buildings varies depending on design and type of building. The report also emphasized the cost implications of the soil conditions.

“High rise building with unstable soil conditions will entail a more rigid and complicated base/structural preparations and requires higher quantity and quality of materials to be used. Structures with parking areas require different design as compared to common/regular building which is subjected to heavier and moving loads. In addition, the building is designed to withstand earthquake with certain level of intensity,” the report said.

The report made specific reference to the construction of the main building of Makati City Hall, which was also cited by your columnist.

Said COA, “Research and available data showed that the soil structure was found soft, hard strata at this area was reached from 13 meters to 15 meters elevation from the ground.”

The COA also reviewed the contract price for each phase of the project, and the report said COA technical audit specialists (TAS) found the contract price “reasonable.”

A review of previous audit reports “did not disclose any adverse finding” on the Makati city parking project in the annual audit reports from 2008 to 2010, In the files of audit observation memoranda, and notices of suspension and disallowance.

“Thus it could be construed that the payments were allowed in audit.”

We had opted to build parking spaces inside the building instead of multi-layered basement parking so that we would not have to make a deep excavation, which is not advisable for the soil type on which the building stands.

Our  political opponents are desperately grasping at straws, and are intent on destroying our credibility through these malicious, false and baseless accusations. But we have nothing to hide. the building was constructed in accordance with the government procurement laws and processes, and we trust that all relevant transactions will bear close scrutiny.

We  hope  that  the opinion-shapers of The Philippine STAR and other newspapers would be responsible enough to exercise due diligence in getting factual information on which to base the views, analysis and conclusions they share to the public through their columns. They owe it to their readers. — JEJOMAR ERWIN S. BINAY Jr., Mayor, Makati City