The Sandiganbayan acquitted former Vice President Jejomar Binay, his son, former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., and 16 others of criminal charges related to the construction of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School (MSHS) from 2007 to 2013.
In an 86-page resolution, the anti-graft court’s Special Fifth Division granted the demurrer to evidence filed by the accused, leading to the dismissal of the cases due to insufficient evidence.
The court emphasized that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, stating, “The presumption of innocence in favor of an accused in a criminal case is a basic constitutional guarantee… Every reasonable doubt of guilt entitles the accused to an acquittal.”
The charges included multiple counts of falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The case stemmed from alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for architectural, engineering, and construction services for the MakSci or MSHS.
The Office of the Ombudsman accused the Binays and others of conspiring to rig the bidding process for the architectural and engineering services awarded to two companies attached to the project.
The court, however, ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to establish the charges.
Aside from the Binays, the acquitted individuals include former Makati officials and representatives from the contracted firms. Following the ruling, the court ordered the cancellation of bail bonds and lifted the hold departure orders against all accused.
Associate Justice Rafael Lagos penned the resolution that was promulgated on December 13.