Sandiganbayan upholds graft charges vs ex-Makati mayor Binay

The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has upheld graft and malversation charges against former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay, wife of former Vice President Jejomar Binay, along with six other respondents.

The court's Second Division denied Binay and her co-accused's motion for leave to file demurrers to evidence, a move intended to challenge the sufficiency of the prosecution's evidence.

The Sandiganbayan stated that the motions were without merit because the accused failed to specifically outline the grounds for their demurrer to evidence.

The defendants had argued that the prosecution's evidence did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and did not clearly establish the direct participation of each accused.

They also questioned the authenticity of signatures on documentary evidence presented by the prosecution.

The court emphasized that the accused should have detailed the specific reasons for requesting permission to file a demurrer to evidence.