Kin last talked to Ebeng Baloloy 4 months ago, says sister of VP Binay aide

Has Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy left the country?

Even her sister and officemate, Gleseria Aberion, doesn't know because it was four months ago when she last saw her sister.

Baloloy is the special assistant to Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. She is also a longtime secretary to the incumbent's father and longtime Makati mayor, Vice President Jejomar Binay.

She was one of the personalities who reportedly received kickback money intended for Jejomar Binay when he was still the local chief executive.

Aberion, a utility staff at the Makati mayor's office, said her sister never talked about the allegations against her.

"Hindi siya nakikipag-usap tungkol doon.... Siguro naman kilala nila si ate, napakabait niyang tao," Aberion said.

In September last year, former Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado accused Binay, who used to be his close friend and ally, of pocketing 13-percent kickbacks from every project that the city government of Makati entered into while he was mayor.

Mercado said the commissions were divided into three separate bags that will each be taken care of by the following: Mayor Junjun Binay, the Vice President's son who was then a city councilor; another for Gerry Limlingan, Binay's finance officer; and the last for Baloloy.

Baloloy was summoned to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigation but she never appeared before the panel despite the issuance of a subpoena.

Baloloy was also listed as one of the beneficiaries in the bank account of a construction company that secured at least P180 million worth of projects with the city government of Makati.

Aberion said she has been given the authority by her sister to claim her salaries since May.

She said her sister has filed for early retirement but the clearance is still being processed.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes, one of the senators consistently attending the Senate inquiry on the allegations against Binay, is convinced that both Baloloy and Limlingan have fled the country with the help of Vice President Binay.

Aberion defended her sister, who she described as a very kind person.

"Masakit para sa amin, kapatid namin napakabait...Siya yung nanay na namin, tsaka dito sa city hall, talagang ate ang tawag halos lahat sa kanya," Aberion said.

"Miss na miss na namin siya," she added. -NB, GMA News