Binay: Tuason testimony not a dud, but prosecution ‘weak’

MANILA, Philippines – If Vice President Jejomar Binay is to be believed, the evidence in the hands of the Department of Justice (DOJ) against suspected plunderers in the controversial multi-million-peso pork barrel scam needs serious beefing up.

In an interview with ABSCBN’s Aquino and Abunda Tonight which aired Friday night, February 14, Binay flip-flopped on a previous statement saying the testimony of potential state witness Ruby Tuason is a dud or a complete failure. He, however, said that the need for Tuason to testify is proof that the prosecution’s case is weak.

“No, I never said that,” Binay said, after being asked about his previous interview describing Tuason’s testimony a dud. “The case of the prosecution is weak kaya kailangan ng (that’s why they need a) state witness,” he added.

Binay said he was simply “reacting as a lawyer” when he commented on Tuason’s testimony, explaining that the socialite-turned-whistleblower cannot be admitted as a state witness as she doesn’t pass the standard set by law.

Binay said Tuason may be among the “most guilty” in the scam to illegally divert lawmakers’ funds to fake non-governmental organizations, making her ineligible based on Republic Act 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.

The Palace has since commented on Binay’s reaction, saying it is not up to him to decide on the fate of Tuason as a state witness but the Office of the Ombudsman.

Admission against interest

Tuason, who flew back to the country after a month of long-distance coordination with the DOJ, is being eyed as a state witness in the plunder complaints against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile filed with the Ombudsman.

The two are Binay’s close political allies.

Tagged by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima as ‘slam dunk’ evidence, Tuason’s testimony is said to directly link the two senators as recipients of kickbacks from the scam. It is now being evaluated by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

Once a full-blown state witness, Tuason will gain immunity from suit. She herself is facing two plunder complaints  – one related to the pork barrel scam and the other to the Malampaya Fund scam whose prinicipal suspect is yet to be pinpointed.

De Lima has previously said her testimony has “very vital information” that can be utilized in the fact-finding process at the Ombudsman.

Tuason has since revealed the names of those allegedly involved one way or another to the illegal fund diversion, including veteran actor Mat Ranillo III and socialite Justa Tantonco. All those implicated by Tuason will be probed by DOJ.

But Binay regards Tuason’s admission as the middleman in the receipt of Senators Estrada’s and Enrile’s kickbacks from alleged scam mastermind Janet Napoles as proof that she is among the “most guilty.”

“You know, admission sabi nga dito sa batas, admissions against interest. Na ‘yan talaga ay principal na principal ‘yan,” he said, referring to Tuason not just as an accomplice or a conspirator but as a principal actor in the scam. 

(You know, as the law states, admissions against interest. That, really, makes her a principal [actor in the crime].)

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago however described Tuason as a “perfect state witness.”

Made amends with Jinggoy’s father

Asked about his current relationship with Senator Jinggoy’s father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Binay said they have already talked things out. 

The 2010 political tandem faced a slight disagreement over the renovation of the Central Market property in Sampaloc, Manila. 

Binay, however, said he has apologized to the mayor who is also his dear friend.

“Tapos na kami diyan, Kris,” he said, speaking to President Benigno Aquino III’s celebrity-sister Kris, who hosts the show with Boy Abunda. (We are done with that, Kris.)

Binay said he apologized to the older Estrada during the birthday celebration of Senator Enrile. – Rappler.com