Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) is given a tour of the Toledo copper mine in Toledo City, Cebu on Thursday, November 6. Binay did not attend the day’s Senate probe on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. He is in Cebu to attend the Philippine Scouting Centennial Jamboree and meet with local officials to check their housing programs. Also in photo is Adrian Ramos (right), COO of Carmen Mining Corp. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes is accusing Vice President Jejomar Binay of accepting P200 million in kickbacks from a joint venture between Alphaland and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines for the development of a prime property in Makati City.
Trillanes said the P200 million was an initial “commission” or advance given to the Vice President for approving the Alphaland-BSP deal.
The senator said the Boy Scouts organization owns several properties including a property on Malugay Street and Ayala Avenue Extension.
“Kaya pala interesadong-interesado itong si Binay na manatili bilang presidente ng Boy Scouts of the Philippines,” he said, noting that Binay forced the BSP board to retain him as Boy Scouts president.
Trillanes said that under the Alphaland-BSP deal, the Boy Scouts would provide the land and Alphaland would develop the property.
“Supposed to be joint venture yun. Boy Scouts sa kanya yung lupa tapos yung developer sa kanya yung capital paggawa ng building. Pero ang nangyari yung lupa ng Boy Scouts yun din ang ginawang collateral for loan. So walang capital itong developer. Talagang pinagkakitaan, ginahasa ang mga Boy Scouts,” he said.
“Ni piso po wala pang binibigay sa Boy Scouts…Si Binay magnanakay at magnanakaw ito.”
Alphaland Corp. President Mario Oreta earlier warned former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado against dragging his company into the alleged anomaly.
He said Mercado negotiated the deal between Alphaland and the BSP in his capacity as Senior Vice President and Head of Asset Management Committee.
He added: “In fact, the contract between Alphaland and the Boy Scouts was signed by you in this capacity and not by Vice President Binay.”
The Binay camp also denied Trillanes’ accusation, saying critics have become desperate in their efforts to malign the Vice President ahead of the 2016 elections.
“This deal was signed by Mr. Mercado himself….There are no signatures of the Vice President in any document pertaining to the transaction. The Vice President has nothing to do with it,” Binay spokesman Atty. Rico Quicho said.
“It is very surprising that it is only now that Mr. Mercado is hurling all these unfair accusations.” (MNS)