Binay seeks court’s nod for Taiwan, Hong Kong trip

Former vice president Jejomar Binay Sr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to stay abroad for nine days amid his pending criminal cases in connection with the alleged anomalous construction of a P2.2-billion parking building.

In his six-page motion filed on Sept. 20, Binay, through his lawyers, has asked the court’s Third Division to allow him to stay in Taiwan from Oct. 9 to 13 and in Hong Kong from Oct. 14 to 17.

Binay said he received an invitation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines to deliver a speech at an economic and foreign relations forum titled “Taiwan’s New Southbound Police” to be held from Oct. 11 to 13.

Binay said the forum was organized by the government of China with the aim of improving its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation member states.

Binay said that after the forum, he intends to go on a four-day trip to Hong Kong for his “physical and holistic well-being.”

Binay and his son, former Makati mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., are facing multiple cases of graft, malversation of public funds and falsification of public documents before the Third Division in connection with the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.

The Third Division had earlier issued a hold departure order against them to prevent them from leaving the country unless there is a prior permission from the court.

Meanwhile, in a separate motion also filed before the Third Division on Sept. 20, Binay’s wife Elenita, asked the court to allow her to accompany her husband during the trip.

Elenita is facing charges of graft and malversation before the Third Division over the alleged anomalous purchase of hospital beds and sterilizers for the Ospital ng Makati during her term as Makati mayor.

In a short hearing last Friday, the Third Division granted in open court Elenita’s motion despite the objection of the prosecution.

Binay’s own motion, meanwhile, is set for hearing at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

During their intended stay in Taiwan, the Binay couple will be billeted at the Grand Hyatt Taipei located at Songshou Road, Xinyi District in Taipei City.

For their stay in Hong Kong, the Binay couple will be billeted at Marco Polo Gateway Hotel in Kowloon.