Public warned vs scammers using Binay's name

Beware of scammers who drop the name of Vice President Jejomar Binay while making rounds of local government offices. Benjamin Martinez, Binay's chief of staff, issued the warning on Tuesday, after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) received reports that unidentified persons had been visiting offices in Bacolod and Cagayan Valley claiming that they were from the OVP even if they were not. Martinez said an unidentified person in Bacolod claimed he was seeking properties for Binay and government housing projects, since the vice president is also the chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. “This is a scam. The OVP has not authorized anyone to purchase real property," said Martinez. He said a certain Hermie Ramos also visited government offices in Cagayan Valley and gave the same story. Ramos reportedly visited the local Land Transportation Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and several municipal halls, claiming that he was instructed by Binay to gather reports of irregularities in these offices. “We do not know this Mr. Ramos. He and his companions are not connected with the OVP," said Martinez. Martinez said they have already alerted the authorities about the alleged scammers. He also advised the public to immediately report to the OVP and authorities any person claiming to represent Binay. Earlier, the OVP also warned the public of a text scam, which informs its recipients that they won in a raffle purportedly sponsored by a certain Millionaires’ Club for Binay. —Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV, GMANews.TV