Elenita Binay acquited in P9.9M graft case

Former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay has secured her fifth acquittal before the Sandiganbayan, this time from graft and malversation charges concerning a P9.9 million purchase of medical equipment in 2000 and 2001.

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division acquitted Binay and her co-accused, former city treasurer Luz R. Yamane-Garcia, General Services Department head Ernesto A. Aspillaga, OsMak Department of OB GYN head Mabel A. Asunio, and Medical Section Supply and Property inspector Lilia A. Nonato, after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

However, Committee on Canvass members Conrado V. Pamintuan and Jaime P. Delos Reyes were found guilty of graft and sentenced to six to eight years in prison with perpetual disqualification from public office.

The court also lifted the hold departure order against Binay and her co-accused, and ordered the release of their cash bonds.

Binay is the wife of former vice president Jejomar Binay and the mother of Senator Nancy Binay and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay.