Ernesto Mercado: I have two balikbayan boxes filled with evidence against VP Binay

 

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When Former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado sat in “Bawal ang Pasaway’s” hot seat last September 2014, he elaborated his knowledge about the corruption issues charged to former Makati City Mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay.

But the tables are turned in his return. Mercado now faces accusations about his properties in Coron, Palawan and in the United States which he failed to declare in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in the years 2002, 2005-2006, 2008 and 2009.

How did he explain this? Let’s do a recap of his interview in this article.

Mercado discloses his wealth
 
 

Resorts and villas in Palawan, Laguna,and Pateros. Plus a poultry farm in Cabanatuan and a “hidden” property in the United States.

These are only few of the alleged properties of Mercado.

The accusations came from Vice President Binay’s party, the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA and from his daughter Makati Representative Abigail Binay.
 

According to UNA, Mercado should undergo a lifestyle check and be put under investigation for amassing such wealth.

In an interview with 24 Oras last November 19, UNA Interim President and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco asked, “Saan galing ang mga kayamanang ito ni Mercado? Ito ang ebidensiya kung paano siya nagpayaman sa puwesto.”

Rep. Binay added, “"Nakakatakot kasi ‘di ba pumunta siya ng America. Meron siyang kasamang isang senator na nag-ikot sila at naghahanap ng ari-arian ng mga Binay. Ang kinakatakutan namin, baka ituro niya ‘yung mga ari-arian niya at sabihin niya amin [ang mga iyan.]”
 

In his interview with Mareng Winnie, Mercado explained which property belongs and does not belong to him.

The Garden Resort and Hotel in Coron, Palawan is his but it is not a 100-hectare property. The land only measures 1.2 hectares. He also said that he did not buy the said resort.

“Binigay lang [iyan sa akin] nina ex-Governor [Joel] Reyes at Mr. Teddy Tiotangco noong 2012. Wala na ako sa politika noon,” he said.

Tiotangco is the husband of Bella Tiotangco, president of BCT Trading and Construction who was sued by the BIR over cases of tax evasion.

In addition, Mercado also claims that the Grand Villa in Pateros, the 3.5-hectare Butterfly Center in Los Baños, Laguna, and the properties in West Rembo, Makati, where Mercado resides up to now, were all declared in his SALN.

Meanwhile, the Hunter Valley plantation and resort in Cabanatuan was not reflected in his SALN on purpose.

“Hindi po ‘yan nakadeklara sa SALN ko. Meron po [kasi] akong unang pamilya. Kanila po ‘yan,” Mercado explained.

He strongly denies owning Villa Juanita in Coron, Palawan, a poultry farm in Nueva Ecija, and the P 21.8-million worth of properties in the United States.

“Kapag meron po silang napatunayan kahit isa man sa 10 [properties na ‘yan], handa po akong pumirma ng anumang dokumento na tine-turnover ko po ‘yan sa Philippine government,” Mercado said.

When Mareng Winnie asked Mercado about his current net worth, he said, “Nasa P79 million. Nakadeklara naman po ‘yan sa SALN ko.”

Makati Homeville: what went wrong?

Another issue Mercado addressed was the Makati Homeville, a relocation site located in Calauan, Laguna which was supposedly dedicated for the informal settlers living in Makati.

The original plan for the said relocation site, unfortunately, did not push through because up to now, there are no decent houses built for the families. Water and electrical supply are also not available.

During his term as Mayor, VP Binay and his administration spent P1.2 billion for the said relocation site.

Mercado said that he was the one who personally coordinated with Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity for the construction of houses. Unfortunately, according to Mercado, when he and VP Binay parted ways, the project was neglected.

“Wala pang nabi-build [na bahay hanggang ngayon]. Dapat may program with Habitat and Gawad Kalinga [kaso] nu’ng nawala ako, wala nang direktang nag-asikaso nu’n,” he said.

Mercado added, “Kung ano [lang] ‘yung ginibang bahay sa Makati [ng mga informal settler], ‘yun lang din ang itinayo doon.”

Mercado’s name is also being dragged with Twinleaf Construction, a contractor that was supposed to provide the water facilities for Makati Homeville. Binay’s camp blames Mercado because he owns Twinleaf Construction.

In his defense, Mercado said that it was only in 2013 when he bought Twinleaf and became its president.

“Nadamay lang sa politika ang Twinleaf. Nanalo na po [kasi ang] Twinleaf sa bidding, para sa phase two [ng development ng Makati Homeville] kung saan nandu’n ‘yung tubig. December 2009 [ito nangyari]. [Kaso] cinancel [nila Binay ang kontrata] at hindi pinirmahan. [Kaya] wala nang obligasyon [ang Twinleaf],” Mercado said.

The testimony continues



After all his revelations against the Binays, Mercado says there is more to come. He said that he has two balikbayan boxes filled with evidence against VP Binay.

How was he able to come by such documents? Mercado said that a common friend of Binay, called him and gave him the boxes the day after he testified in the Senate.

When Mareng Winnie asked who this “friend” is, Mercado decided not to name him.

She also asked for Mercado’s reaction to Rep. Abigail Binay’s statement that they will never forgive their critics.

“Hindi talaga sila marunong magpatawad. [Pero kung] hindi ako magsasalita, magiging presidente na si Jojo Binay. Kunsensiya ko na po ‘yun na sambayanang Pilipino ang magdudusa,” he said.

Ending his interview, Mercado left with these words, “Sana po buksan [natin] nang mabuti ang ating mga mata. Makinig sa mga nangyayari sa bayan. Kawawa po kayo at kawawa ang ating bayan kapag ang nanalong Presidente ay si Jojo Binay.”

“Bawal ang Pasaway” tried to get the side of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family about Mercado’s accusations but they declined the request. - Gerald Vista/BMS