Binay: ‘The people have accepted my explanation’

MANILA, Philippines – Amid dipping public approval and trust ratings, Vice President Jejomar Binay is convinced that Filipinos have already “accepted” his explanation regarding his alleged corrupt practices when he was still Makati mayor. 

Binay made the statement in a media interview in Rizal Park on Saturday, January 24, where he led the Citizen’s Launch of the Movement for National Discipline.

He reiterated that the allegations hurled against him are politically motivated to hurt his 2016 bid for the presidency.

“Habol lang naman talaga nila dito ay halalan. Pagka tinutuligsa ang isang nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan, laging nakikita ang mga alegasyon, may tendency na may tatanggap. Kaya lang, dumating na sa yugto na nakasagot na ako, tinanggap na ng mga tao ang mga paliwanag. Lumalabas na sila ay nagsisinungaling,” Binay said of his accusers.

(They are only after the elections. If a public official is being attacked, one can see the allegations and the tendency is some would believe it. But it has come to the point that I have responded already, the people have accepted my explanation. It’s becoming evident that they are lying.)

Binay has refused to attend the Senate hearings where whistleblowers, led by former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado, accused him of corruption when he was Makati mayor.

The Vice President decided to directly address the people on September 18, 2014, and said in a prepared speech broadcast live by television and radio networks that the allegations are recycled “lies” that may be acceptable to the “circus-like” Senate but will not stand up in court.

He later challenged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to a one-on-one debate in place of his attendance at the Senate inquiry but backed out at the last minute.