Binays’ arraignment on graft, malversation cases set

The Sandiganbayan has scheduled the arraignment of former vice president Jejomar Binay and his son former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay for graft and malversation charges over the allegedly overpriced Makati parking building.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division ordered the Binays and their co-accused to attend their arraignment on Sept. 29.

Magistrates of the Sandiganbayan set the arraignment after finding probable cause to put the defendants on trial in connection with the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall parking building.

In a ruling dated Aug. 31 but released to media only yesterday, the Sandiganbayan junked the defendants’ motion to dismiss the cases.

“In the judicial determination of probable cause, the judge is tasked to determine the probability, not the certainty, of guilt of the accused. He only needs to review the prosecutor’s initial determination and see if it is supported by substantial evidence,” read the decision penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez.

Those who filed motions for reconsideration were city budget officer Lorenza Amores; city engineer Mario Badillo, acting city accountant Rayes Pestaño, city treasurer Nelia Barlis, city accountants Cecilio Lim III and Leonila Querijero, central planning management office chief Virginia Hernandez, bids and awards committee head Giovanni Condes, and BAC members Ulysses Orienza and Rodel Nayve.

The other respondents were city administrator Marjorie de Veyra, city legal officer Pio Kenneth Dasal, central planning and management office chief Line dela Peña, engineer Arnel Cadangan, general services division computer operator Norman Flores, project inspector Emerito Magat, Orlando Mateo of Mana Construction, and Efren Canlas of Hillmarc’s Construction Corp.

The Sandiganbayan said there was no need to issue arrest warrants since all the defendants, including the Binays have posted bail.