Junjun Binay asks court to junk rap over parking building project

MANILA- Former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to dismiss graft and falsification of public documents charges against him over the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati parking building.

Binay, in a motion for reconsideration, asked the anti-graft court to reconsider its finding of probable cause, arguing that there is no evidence to indict him.

"It is important to emphasize that the phases of the subject building has already been completely constructed by Hillmarc's and is now being used by the City of Makati," Binay's lawyers said in their motion.

The former mayor added that the Sandiganbayan merely relied on the Ombudsman's supposed unsupported statement that he is responsible for the supposed falsification of Affidavits of Publication of the project.

The prosecution is set to comment on the motion of the defense.

Accused along with Binay over the alleged anomalous construction of the P2.3-billion Makati City Hall Parking Building 2 is his father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The Binay father and son earlier asked the court for permission to embark on a "spiritually-charged pilgrimage" to Israel from May 15 to 29. Prosecutors have opposed the plea.