Sandigan grants Junjun Binay’s 3-week US trip

Former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr. secured the approval of the Sandiganbayan on Friday for his 21-day vacation to the United States while his trial for graft and falsification of public documents proceeds.

Third Division chairperson Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang granted the motion to travel of Binay in open court.

"Over the objection of the prosecution, the motion for authority to travel of accused Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. is hereby granted," Tang said.

On the other hand, the same motion of Binay at the Fifth Division has been submitted for resolution.

Binay, who lost a heated mayoralty race to his sister, incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay, had said he intends to "take a short vacation and to visit his relatives" in the state of California from June 6 to 27.

Binay vowed to return to the country by June 27 and said he is willing to comply with any conditions the Sandiganbayan may impose for his trip to push through.

He added his previous travels were granted by the Sandiganbayan, with his P608,000 travel bond guaranteeing his faithful compliance with a travel authority.

Binay was indicted for graft and falsification of public documents at the Third Division in connection with the P2.28-billion Makati City Hall Parking Building.

In the Fifth Division, the younger Binay faces the same criminal charges over the alleged rigged construction of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School.

His father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr., is named as a co-accused in both cases. — MDM, GMA News