Ex-Makati vice mayor Mercado says he is in US, will return Nov. 30

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Friday confirmed he is in the United States, but said he will return by Nov. 30.

In an interview with dzBB radio, Mercado said he had to go to the US because he received word his wife was sick.

"Biglaan ang alis ko pero ako nagpaalam sa DOJ ... Bilang padre de pamilya dapat intindihin ko ang aking maybahay," he said.

But he said he had informed the Department of Justice, Ombudsman and Senate of his trip.

Mercado is under the witness protection program of the DOJ, after linking Vice President Jejomar Binay to alleged corruption in Makati City.

He said he may return Nov. 30.

"Umalis ako Nov. 18, ang pahintulot ko hanggang Nov. 30," he said.

Mercado also belied claims by Binay's allies at the United Nationalist Alliance that he owns an island in Palawan.

He said he merely owns an "islet" measuring 1.2 hectares.

Also, he said he still has at least two "balikbayan boxes" of evidence against Binay.

Mercado accused Binay of involvement in the alleged overpricing of the construction of Makati City Hall Building II, bid rigging, and receiving kickbacks for every transaction entered into by the city government during Binay's term as mayor.

He also accused Binay of owning a 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas and a log cabin in Tagaytay Highlands.

Binay denied the allegations, saying these were part of the operation to discredit him and diminish his chances of winning in the 2016 presidential elections.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said it is normal to discover irregularities or anomalies involving Mercado, as he had admitted to being part of some illegal activities in the past.

However, De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation is ready to look into the alleged irregularities involving Mercado as long as there is proof that will be presented against him. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News