Nancy Binay, mom hurt by former ally’s allegations of graft

The Binays said they are used to criticisms because they are a part of being in politics.

But Senator Nancy Binay and her mother, former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay, said they were hurt by Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado's allegations at the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearings on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II.

In 24 Oras' report that aired on Friday, the senator said that Mercado was close to the Binay family even before he entered the politics. 

 

Mercado is one of the individuals who accused Vice President Jejomar Binay of engaging in corruption when he was still mayor of Makati.

The Vice President and members of his family have repeatedly denied the allegations against them.

Jejomar Binay, the leader of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, is expected to run for President in 2016.

In his most recent testimony before the Senate subcommittee, Mercado said Binay owned a 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas and mansions in Tagaytay.

Mercado said Elenita Binay had ordered contractor Hilmarc's Corporation to build structures on the property but never paid the firm. He said Hilmarc's overpriced its projects with Makati City to recover the cost of building improvements in the alleged Binay property.

 

"Doon sa mga nakikilala sa mommy ko, talagang alam na doon palang nagsisinungaling na siya (Mercado) sa description niya pagdating sa mommy ko. From the start hanggang doon sa huling hearing, wala pang sinabing katotohanan si Mercado," Nancy Binay told GMA News.

 

Elenita Binay also expressed her disappointment over Mercado's testimony at the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee.

"We're very sad especially kung 'yung mismong mga kaibigan mo na tinuring ng VP (vice president) na parang kapatid ay siya ngayong saying something na hindi maganda," Elenita Binay said. 

 

Well-funded?

 

Asked who she thought was behind the allegations against her family, the senator pointed to those who would want to run in the 2016 elections. Nancy Binay said whoever was behind campaign against her family seemed well-funded. 

 

"Isipin mo, si vice mayor Mercado nakaupa ng helicopter. Inspite of the fact na nasa WPP (Witness Protection Program) siya, nakuha niya pang magrenta sa helicopter at siya mismo sumakay sa helicopter. So, I wonder, kung may government funds ba na nagastos para doon sa aerial survey na ginawa?" Nancy Binay said. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News