The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Vice President Jejomar Binay, his son and former Makati Mayor Erwin Binay, along with several others, in connection with the P2.2-billion Makati City carpark project, citing lack of sufficient evidence.

In a verdict issued on Friday, August 22, the anti-graft court dismissed all charges against the Binays, including malversation of public funds, multiple counts of graft, and falsification of public documents. The court stated that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof necessary to sustain the allegations.

Jejomar Binay was acquitted of one count of malversation, four counts of graft, and nine counts of falsification of public documents. His son Erwin was similarly cleared of one count of malversation, three graft charges, and six counts of falsification.

Additionally, the court ordered the dismissal of cases against Emerito Calayag Magat, Cecilio Lim III, and Manolito Nabartey Uyaco following their deaths.

Other individuals implicated who were also acquitted include Marjorie Aguinaldo de Veyra, Pio Kenneth Ilano Dasal, and Lorenza Punzalan Amores, who faced accusations spanning falsification of documents, violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, and malversation of public funds. These charges were all dismissed.

The court further cleared a list of co-accused—such as Gerardo Kangleon San Gabriel, Rodel Rebustillo Nayve, Line Macatangay Dela Peña, Connie Nicol Consulta, Nelia Argana Barlis, Efren Mercado Canlas, Virginia Santos Hernandez, Mario Valenzuela Badillo, Leonila de Guzman Querijero, Raydes Barias Pestaño, Orlando M. Mateo, Giovanni Ilio Condes, Norman Domingo Flores, Arnel Lamusao Cadangan, Ulysses Estanislao Orienza, and Eleno Mendoza—either by finding them not guilty or granting their demurrers to evidence, thereby dismissing charges against them.

This recent ruling follows an earlier decision in January when the Sandiganbayan also acquitted the Binays of graft allegations related to the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School project.

The Sandiganbayan's decisions underscore the court's position that the evidence presented was inadequate to substantiate accusations of corruption involving these public officials and their associates related to the Makati city infrastructure projects.