Anti-graft court resets anew Elenita Binay’s arraignment

Angela Casauay

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Anti-graft court resets anew Elenita Binay’s arraignment
On her son's detainment at the Senate and her arraignment on the same day, former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay says: 'No big deal'

MANILA, Philippines – The 3rd division of the anti-graft court on Thursday, January 29, reset anew the arraignment of Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, due to yet unresolved motions in relation to her case. 

Mrs Binay has been charged with graft and malversation over the alleged overpricing of P45 million worth of hospital beds and medical supplies during her term as Makati City mayor.

Binay’s lawyers asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to reschedule the arraignment, which was set for Thursday, since the court had yet to decide on the motion to quash filed by some of Binay’s co-accused. 

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang said it would be more “pragmatic” for the court to set the arraignment as soon the motions to squash are decided so that the schedule for the preliminary hearing of the case can also be finalized. 

Binay’s arraigntment has been reset to February 26 at 1:30 pm. 

‘No big deal’

The development came as her son, incumbent Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr, was arrested and detained at the Senate – then later freed – after being cited for contempt for refusing to attend the ongoing congressional probe into alleged anomalies in the construction of a city hall building. 

Asked for a reaction on Thursday’s twin events involving the Binay family, Mrs Binay told reporters with a smile: “No big deal.”

The wife of the Vice President was charged graft and malversation over the purchase of beds worth P36.43 million for the Ospital ng Makati in 2001 and the procurement of P8.83 million worth of medical equipment in 2000 without proper public bidding. 

She posted bail after the anti-graft court found probable cause to indict her. 

This is the second time that Binay’s arraignment has been postponed. It was set for November 20, 2014, but her lawyers moved for a postponement then since they intended to file a motion for reconsideration. – Rappler.com

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