Binay probe is part of DOJ’s mandate – Palace

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Binay probe is part of DOJ’s mandate – Palace
The Department of Justice is only carrying out its mandate when it called for a probe into Vice President Binay's alleged ill-gotten wealth, says Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said on Saturday, October 18, that President Benigno Aquino III did not have to order the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family but said it supports any agency in the performance of its duties.

Asked if the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe has the imprimatur of the President, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview on state-run Radyo ng Bayan that the DOJ is “only executing its mandate,” as earlier explained by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

“As such, of course we support the DOJ, as well as any other agency that carries out its duties, and that they are only carrying out their duty and their mandate under relevant laws,” Valte said.

She also said that De Lima does not base the need for investigations on the personalities involved but “based on the facts and circumstances that have been presented.” (READ: Binay probe hinges on whistleblowers’ info – De Lima)

Valte also addressed De Lima’s previous remark that only Aquino or the Office of the Ombudsman can stop her from halting the investigation.

“Perhaps it was just a nod, and Secretary De Lima chose to say that instead of saying nobody can stop her. It was just a nod and an acknowledgment that she is an alter ego of [the President]. I don’t think she intended to drag the President into anything,” she said.

Valte added, “In any big issue, we’ve always asked people to craft their own opinions based on their readings, based on what they see, based on information that they gather for themselves.”

On Thursday, October 16, De Lima instructed NBI director Virgilio Mendez to form a “dedicated” team which would look into allegations made by former Makati city officials.

Binay, who is eyeing the presidency in 2016, claims that all the allegations against him are politically-motivated. The Vice President remains the frontrunner among potential 2016 presidential bets in recent surveys. (READ: Binay will wallop Aquino in 2016 – survey)

Binay is being investigated by a Senate blue ribbon subcommittee regarding an alleged overpriced city hall building in Makati City, where he was mayor for over two decades. Binay and his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, are facing plunder raps over the controversial building.

The Vice President also allegedly owns a 350-hectare farm in Rosario, Batangas, according to former Makati vice mayor and erstwhile Binay ally Ernesto Mercado,  one of the whistleblowers in the Senate probe. – Rappler.com

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