Sandigan defers arraignment for Elenita Binay

Former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay and mother of incumbent Makati City Mayor Jun-Jun Binay (Facebook Photo)

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division suspended on Thursday, the arraignment of former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay.

Binay was charged with graft and malversation of public funds following her alleged involvement in the anomalous purchase of P45-million worth of medical supplies and equipment during her term as Makati mayor.

Binay was accused of purchasing hospital beds in 2001 which amounted to P36.3 million and P8.83 million worth of dry and heat sterilizers without public bidding.

The anti-graft court was asked by Binay’s counsel to suspend the arraignment pending the resolution of the move to quash they earlier filed in court.

When asked by the court to comment on the defense’s motion, the prosecution said they “would submit to the sound discretion of the court.”

Binay, who refused to be interviewed after the hearing, was then scheduled for an arraignment on February 26.