By Czarina Nicole Ong-Ki
Former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay, wife of former Vice President Jejomar Binay, Friday pleaded not guilty in her graft and malversation charge before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division in relation to the reportedly anomalous purchase of medical equipment for the Ospital Ng Makati.
Former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay (FEDERICO CRUZ / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
She was accused of violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code alongside former city officials - administrator Nicanor Santiago, budget officer Virgilio Clarete, treasurer Luz Yamane-Garcia, accountant III Dulce Cruz, General Services Department head Ernesto Aspillaga, Committee on Canvass members Conrado Pamintuan and Jaime Delos Reyes, Ospital Ng Makati storekeeper IV Nestor Bulos, Medical Section Supply and Property inspectors Eduardo De Guzman and Lilia Nonato, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology head Mabel Asunio, and Supply and Property Division chief Rudolfo Fernandez.
From December 4, 2000 to March 23, 2001, the accused officials reportedly bought cyrosurgical units with volumetric pressure pumps from Apollo Medical Equipment and Supplies amounting to P9.9 million even without the conduct of public bidding.
They also acknowledged the delivery and inspection of the medical equipment even though no such delivery was made.
Aside from Binay, Garcia and Aspillaga also pleaded not guilty. Asunio, Delos Reyes, Nonato and Pamintuan refused to enter a plea. As per court procedure, it was the Fourth Division that entered a not guilty plea for them.
The case against Santiago has already been dismissed. Meanwhile, Clarete, Cruz, Fernandez, Bulos and Carreon were not present during the arraignment.
Former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay (FEDERICO CRUZ / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
She was accused of violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code alongside former city officials - administrator Nicanor Santiago, budget officer Virgilio Clarete, treasurer Luz Yamane-Garcia, accountant III Dulce Cruz, General Services Department head Ernesto Aspillaga, Committee on Canvass members Conrado Pamintuan and Jaime Delos Reyes, Ospital Ng Makati storekeeper IV Nestor Bulos, Medical Section Supply and Property inspectors Eduardo De Guzman and Lilia Nonato, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology head Mabel Asunio, and Supply and Property Division chief Rudolfo Fernandez.
From December 4, 2000 to March 23, 2001, the accused officials reportedly bought cyrosurgical units with volumetric pressure pumps from Apollo Medical Equipment and Supplies amounting to P9.9 million even without the conduct of public bidding.
They also acknowledged the delivery and inspection of the medical equipment even though no such delivery was made.
Aside from Binay, Garcia and Aspillaga also pleaded not guilty. Asunio, Delos Reyes, Nonato and Pamintuan refused to enter a plea. As per court procedure, it was the Fourth Division that entered a not guilty plea for them.
The case against Santiago has already been dismissed. Meanwhile, Clarete, Cruz, Fernandez, Bulos and Carreon were not present during the arraignment.