COURT GRANTS BINAY’S TRAVEL PLEA

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has granted former Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Sr. permission to travel abroad from September 28 to October 13 for a pilgrimage tour. Binay and other individuals are facing graft and falsification charges before the court over allegedly anomalous procurement processes in connection with the Makati Science High School building. “During the hearing on the motion on September 14, 2018, over the objection of the prosecution, the court granted the instant motion of accused Jejomar C. Binay Sr., subject to the usual terms and conditions,” the court said in a ruling dated September 14. The defense had moved that Binay be allowed to travel to Italy from September 23, 2018 to October 13, 2018, as part of the pilgrimage tour organized by Father Francis Gustilo, the former mayor’s long- time spiritual adviser. The defense said that “there is necessity for Movant to travel to Italy for his spiritual endeavors. It explained that Binay is a devout Catholic who places great importance to his spiritual health. In granting the motion, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division said the movant’s itinerary of travel shall cover “Italy only and not any other place/ s.” Binay must personally present himself to the Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court within five days of his expected date of return, whether he was able to undertake the trip.