Former Vice President Jejomar Binay asks for assistance from an election officer as he votes at San Antonio National High School in Makati City on May 13, 2019 to cast his vote. Binay is running for representative of the 1st district of Makati. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

MANILA — "Nothing proven."

This was how former Vice President Jejomar Binay described the first day of trial on his case for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Falsification of Public Documents in relation to the alleged rigged bidding for the Makati Science High School building.  

During the hearing of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, the Prosecution presented the former head of Makati’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Engr. Mario Hechanova. 

Hechanova said Norman Flores, a BAC Secretariat member, came to his office to tell him that he received instructions that Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation must get the project.

It was not mentioned who gave the said instructions. 

Hechanova and other BAC officials did not know, however, that some bids for the P1.3 billion project were forged. 

During the hearing, the Prosecution said that based on Hechanova’s judicial affidavit, it was Binay, the then-Makati City Mayor, who gave the orders. 

Binay denied this in an interview. 

“Nothing proven. Anong basis niya? Sinabi niya I ordered. Paano niya nalaman?” Binay said. 

The defense will continue Hechanova’s cross-examination Tuesday.

Also accused is Binay’s son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, who was also present during the hearing.

Aside from the bidding being allegedly rigged, the Makati Science High School buildings were also reportedly overpriced by P862 million.

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