VP Binay accuser says UMak Nursing building overpriced, bidding rigged

An accuser of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday claimed the University of Makati College of Nursing building was overpriced by P500 million and its bidding was allegedly rigged.

At the the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearing on alleged corruption involving Binay, lawyer Renato Bondal said since four of the 12 floors of the UMak College of Nursing were used as parking spaces and the 12th floor was actually a roof deck, the building should not have cost P1.2 billion.

 

He compared the cost of the UMak College of Nursing to the Shang Grand Tower. Shang Grand Tower is a 46-storey high-end residential condominium located in Makati City. The construction of the building started in 2007

 

“Gaya ng ginawa natin sa mga nakaraang building, makikita niyo ulit ang Grand Shang Tower, kitang kita na ito at P26,000 per square meter samantalang ang UMak Nursing building ay nagkakahalaga ng P44,531 per square meter,” he said.

 

“Base sa aming computation, P579.4 million ang overprice. Gaya ng aming pinakita aabot sa halos P500M ang patong dyan at kinita ng mga Binay,” he added. 

 

Bondal also alleged that the bidding for the construction of the building was rigged as the contractor chosen was Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation, which also constructed the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II.

 

“Mula pag bid hanggang sa pagpirma ng kontrata, one week lang, wala rin silang pinapublish na bidding invitations. Makikita natin March 21, bidding date; March 23, notice of post qualification; March 26, bid evaluation; March 27, notice of award; at March 28 may kontrata na. Gaya ng Makati City Hall Main, Parking Building, Makati Science Building, ito na naman ang may most favored contractor ng Makati, phase 1 Hilmarc's, phase 2 and phase 3 wala nang bidder, lone bidder na lang daw ang Hilmarc’s,” he said.

 

He added the bids submitted by Hilmarc’s was also very close to the price set by the Makati Bids and Awards Committee.

 

The construction of UMak nursing building started in 2007, when Binay was still Makati mayor. Binay was elected vice president in 2010. — RSJ, GMA News