Why Grace Poe signed draft report backing charges vs Binays

Senator Grace Poe (left) and Vice President Jejomar Binay. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)

Senator Grace Poe believes that the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee’s draft report against Vice President Jejomar Binay in connection with the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall 2 parking building was supported by documentary evidence as well as “expert and personal testimonies,” which she said remained “unrebutted by competent evidence.”

Poe was among the four senators who signed the draft report of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee, its chairman, Senator Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III, said when interviewed over Radyo Inquirer early Friday.

“I have read the subcommittee recommendation and found the same supported by documentary evidence as well as expert and personal testimonies that remain unrebutted by (a) competent evidence to the contrary,” the lady senator said in a text message to reporters.

“As in the PDAF inquiry, I join my colleagues in seeking further investigation by the Ombudsman of the matter and the consequent filing of the appropriate criminal complaint which in this instance is plunder,” she said.

PDAF is Priority Development Assistance Fund also known as lawmakers’ pork barrel funds.

Aside from the Vice President, the subcommittee also reportedly recommended the filing of plunder case against Binay’s son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, and other personalities, who allegedly conspired to jack up the cost of the parking building.

The Vice President repeatedly denied the allegations.

Pimentel said the draft report needs to get the signatures of at least nine members of the subcommittee which is composed of 17 members before it becomes an official report of the blue ribbon committee.