‘I’ve to organize na kasi napagdaanan ko na to ‘eh, parang na-de-deja vu na nga ako sa mga nangyayari ngayon,’ says Senator Nancy Binay
MANILA, Philippines – Forward of the general public listening to concerning the ballooning bills of the P23-billion new Senate constructing on Wednesday, July 3, Senator Nancy Binay stated she is getting ready herself in case the probe can be used for “private ambition or vendetta.”
“I’ve to organize na kasi napagdaanan ko na to ‘eh, parang na-de-déjà vu na nga ako sa mga nangyayari. Ngayon na dapat paghandaan ko na hindi na dapat maulit ‘yong ganitong sistema na nagagamit ‘yong Senado for… private ambition or vendetta,” Binay informed reporters on Tuesday, July 2, when requested if she thinks she was being focused by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the present chair of the committee on accounts.
(I’ve to organize as a result of I handed by means of the identical scenario earlier than. What’s taking place now appears like deja vu, and I ought to put together that this sort of system, whereby the Senate is getting used for private ambition or vendetta, gained’t occur once more.)
The committee on accounts is answerable for the Senate’s finances, bills, audit, and different fiscal actions, together with the continuing development of the brand new Senate constructing in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. Binay is the previous accounts committee chair.
The 2 lawmakers have been at odds prior to now. It was Cayetano who led the year-long probe towards the Binay household in Makati infrastructure tasks in 2015, together with the overpriced Makati constructing.
Barely a month into his management, Senate President Francis Escudero stated he was shocked that the higher chamber’s new residence will value the federal government P23 billion to finish, a 158% improve from the unique P8.9 billion. This prompted him to order a complete evaluate of the venture.
The development started beneath the management of former Senate president Tito Sotto. Former senator Panfilo Lacson was chair of the committee on accounts at the moment earlier than it was transferred to Binay.
Hilmarc’s observe document
The contract was awarded to Hilmarc’s Development Company by the Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is the implementing company of the venture.
Hilmarc’s is identical firm that was embroiled within the overpriced P2.3-billion Makati Metropolis Corridor Constructing II method again in 2014. The venture was initiated in 2007 beneath then-mayor Jejomar Binay and was accomplished in 2012 beneath his son, Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., who turned mayor in 2010. (READ: Binay’s Makati constructing overshoots permitted finances)
On Monday, July 1, Cayateno posted on Fb that he had already obtained paperwork from the DPWH forward of the Senate listening to.
Fueling Makati-Taguig difficulty?
Throughout Tuesday’s press briefing, Binay reiterated that she held briefings with colleagues relating to updates of the brand new Senate constructing, together with the employees of Escudero. Nonetheless, she stated Cayetano was not in a position to get briefed as a result of he was absent at the moment. She additionally stated Cayetano has not reached out to her till now.
“Ang nakakalungkot kasi ‘yong bagong chairperson ng committee as normal absent na naman siya so hindi siya nag-attend no’ng briefing ko ‘di ba? Which, ‘di ko naman kasalanan,” she stated, alluding to Cayetano.
(What’s disappointing is that the brand new chairperson of the committee was absent as normal that’s why he wasn’t in a position to attend my briefing, which was not my fault in any respect.)
In line with Senate information, Cayetano was the Senate prime absentee from July 24, 2023 to February 21, 2024. He attended solely 36 of the 54 common classes within the stated interval. He missed 18 classes; 4 had been resulting from official missions.
Reporters reached out to Cayetano’s workplace for remark, however they’ve but to reply as of this posting.
‘No irregularities’
On Monday, Escudero stated he by no means stated there have been irregularities. “No one alleged irregularity. I’m not alleging any irregularity. I by no means alleged irregularity. I don’t know why persons are sounding too defensive about this,” he added.
The Senate President stated that it was his job to check and search for methods to carry down the fee.
Binay additionally claimed that there’s one senator sowing intrigue towards her and the brand new Senate constructing, however she refused to call the stated colleague.
Binay additionally stated that the problem on the brand new Senate constructing is getting used to gas the Makati-Taguig feud.
“Noong una, ayaw kong maniwala ‘eh pero habang tumatagal parang doon tumutumbok na nagagamit lang ‘yung Senate constructing for his difficulty ‘di ba,” Binay stated.
(At first, I don’t need to consider that it’s associated to that, however as time goes by, evidently the he’s utilizing the brand new Senate constructing for his personal points.)
The dispute between the Binays and the Cayetanos was compounded when Taguig gained jurisdiction over 10 “embo” barangays that had been beforehand beneath Makati.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay, whose time period ends in 2025, expressed a want to hunt the Taguig mayorship in the identical yr. In the meantime, Senator Binay stated that she’s eyeing to run for mayor in Makati as her Senate time period ends subsequent yr. – Rappler.com
