Alphaland sues ex-Makati Vice Mayor for P100-M over kickback allegations

Alphaland Corp. on Tuesday filed a P100-million suit against former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado for claiming that Vice President Jejomar Binay earned P200 million in kickbacks from a land deal between Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and the property developer.

 

In a statement, Alphaland said the damage suit was filed before the Makati City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday.

 

"Mercado had falsely accused Alphaland of giving a P200 million 'kickback' to Vice President Binay in connection with the Alphaland-Boy Scouts deal," said Alphaland.

 

The property developer said it is "determined to ensure that Mercado will suffer the strongest penalties provided by law, both under civil and criminal proceedings, for making these malicious and baseless accusations, without any evidence whatsoever."

 

Alphaland chairman Roberto Ongpin, who is currently in South America, will also file a criminal case for libel against Mercado when the former returns to the Philippines in about two weeks, according to the statement.

 

"Mr. Ongpin would need to personally swear to the complaint affidavit against Mercado," Alphaland said.

 

Mario Oreta, Alphaland Corp. president, last week denied Mercado's allegations.

 

In a letter to Mercado attached to a statement last week, Oreta said the land deal between BSP and Alphaland  is one of "best and most successful investments" of the BSP.

 

"Thus, the original contribution of the Boy Scouts for its 15 percent of the project would be worth more than P3 billion or more than five times its original investment value thus, making it undoubtedly one of the best and most successful investments that the Boy Scouts ever made," he said.

 

Oreta told Mercado in the letter that it was the former Binay ally that dropped less than subtle hints that he should get some "benefits" as facilitator of the transaction between the two sides.

 

He also said the the deal was "entirely above board." — Kathryn Mae Tubadez/JST, GMA News