Representatives from the Boy Scout of the Philippines national executive board for the year 2011 (L-R) Senior Vice President and Asst. Secretary HUDCC Atty. Wendel Avisado, Secretary General Rizal Pangilinan, International Commissioner Dale Corvera and Vice President for Visayas Atty. Arthur Umbac attend the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the Boyscouts of the Philippines and Alphaland deal. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Apr 16 (Mabuhay) – Lawyer Renato Bondal on Thursday accused Vice President Jejomar Binay of converting housing meant for the urban poor to a hotel for his guests.
During the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearing on alleged anomalies involving Binay, Bondal also accused the vice president of earning from the Makati Friendship Suites project.
Si Vice President Binay ay kumita sa Friendship Suite. ‘Yang proyektong y’an para sa mahihirap na taga-Makati. Hindi nangyari yan, ginawa pong hotel sa mga bisita sa Makati,” Bondal said.
The lawyer said the Makati City government, under Binay’s leadership, allocated P17.2 million through an ordinance in 2002 to buy three buildings to serve as housing for fire victims.
Bondal claimed these buildings were renovated for P242 million, way beyond the actual renovation cost of P47 million.
The lawyer further alleged that after the buildings were renovated, Binay used these to provide free accommodations for guests from Makati’s sister cities.
“Hindi masama makipagkaibigan, na ipakita ang aming lungsod, pero libre ho ‘yan, gastos ng Makati. Ang tanong: Sumikat ho ba ang aming lungsod? Si Binay lang po ang sumikat. Ginamit para sa political mileage,” Bondal said.
“Wala namang kinikita ang hotel na pumapasok sa kaban ng Makati,” he added. (MNS)