Binay probe: Is the worst really over?

Bea Cupin

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Binay probe: Is the worst really over?
The Vice President says the accusations against him are 'waning,' although the subcommittee leading the probe is showing no signs of stopping

MANILA, Philippines – It’s been over 3 months since the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee’s probe into corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay began.

For Binay, the worst has come and gone, with him saying the attacks against him are “weakening.” But the whistleblowers and the 3 senators leading the probe are showing no signs of stopping.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the subcommittee members, earlier said the probe could last until April 2015. (READ: Trillanes threatens Binay with new corruption exposé)

On Tuesday, November 18, the subcommittee will meet for the 12th time, to tackle allegations that Binay amassed ill-gotten wealth over almost 3 decades of being Makati mayor by rigging bids and accepting kickbacks. Binay allegedly hid this wealth through dummies and foreign bank accounts.

The Tuesday hearing will be the last in a while, at least until the Senate passes the 2015 budget.

On the same day, the Vice President is scheduled to visit markets and barangays in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu. He is also scheduled to hold a press conference in Cebu City at 5 pm, or a few hours after the subcommittee typically suspends its hearings.  

The subcommittee was first convened to probe into allegations that the Makati City Building 2 was overpriced by more than P1 billion. It has since turned into a virtual free-for-all for whistleblowers – both former allies of the Vice President and long-time political goes – to expose his allegedly corrupt ways.

Another overpriced building?

 

Subcommittee members Senators Aquilino Pimentel III, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Alan Peter Cayetano have already focused their attention on another allegedly overpriced building, the Makati Science High School Building.

Trillanes and Pimentel inspected the building on Saturday, November 15, and are expected to present their findings during the hearing.

But between the City Hall Building 2 and the Science High School Building, a gamut of other issues against Binay have been raised, the biggest of which is a vast estate in Rosario, Batangas tagged “Hacienda Binay.” (PHOTOS: Binay and wife tour guests in ‘Hacienda Binay’)

The property was claimed by businessman Antonio Tiu, who is now accused of being Binay’s dummy. Both men deny the allegation, with Tiu snubbing the last hearing.

Tiu is also set to skip the Tuesday hearing despite being issued a subpoena.

‘Kangaroo court’

Binay, for his part, has dismissed the probe from the very beginning. According to the presidential hopeful, the probe, the plunder case and the exposés are merely part of a plot to ruin his name before the 2016 elections.

The Vice President has also snubbed the Senate’s invite twice – the first from the subcommittee and the second, from the Blue Ribbon “mother committee.”

SUBCOMMITEE. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano (foreground), Aquilino Pimentel (center), and Antonio Trillanes IV (background). Rappler file photo

In an affidavit Binay submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee, the Vice President reiterated his criticisms of the subcommittee. “It bears to stress that these accusations are based on the bare allegations of local political detractors. These are bare allegations not supported by evidence,” said Binay.

His camp had previously dismissed the subcommittee as a “kangaroo court” that had already pre-judged him anyway.

Binay has also said he did not want to attend the hearings lest he compromise the Office of the Vice President. (READ: Binay blames Cayetano, Trillanes for Senate no-show)

SALN questions

The probe has made its dent in Binay’s 2016 dreams, at least if nationwide surveys are to be believed. Another poll showed 79% of Filipinos wanted Binay to face the Senate.

Still, Binay and his camp have made up their minds not to attend the hearings. After all, despite his dip in ratings, he still remains the top contender for 2016 and the country’s most trusted public official.

Binay, in what his camp calls an emotional moment, challenged Trillanes to a one-on-one-debate outside of the Senate to refute the allegations against him.

The Vice President himself backed out of the debate a few weeks later, citing Trillanes’ attitude toward the debate and the need to prioritize his job above all else.

As in previous hearings, the public can only expect bells and whistles, as well as fireworks, although subcommittee chairman Pimentel has since disallowed the presentation of documents pertaining to Binay’s alleged misdeclarations in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

Revelations of undeclared foreign bank accounts under Binay’s name have yet to be addressed by his camp, although Binay’s spokesman said an explanation was forthcoming. – Rappler.com

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.