Ilocos Sur (CNN Philippines) – Vice President Jejomar Binay cried foul over the story of a newspaper agency, which claimed that he allegedly got billions from several infrastructure projects in Makati, when he was still city mayor.
The news report is quoting a report they got from the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
The story also alleges that there are more than 139 bank accounts connected to Binay, and that he used third party money launderers as conduits.
Speaking before Ilocanos in Santa, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday (March 15), Binay lamented how the newspaper agency and the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee has been looking into corruption allegations against him.
“Ngayon nga pala, sa (Philippine Daily) Inquirer, ako na naman ang headline, grabe. It’s one for the books, I tell you. For one year and a half, iniimbestiga kami ng Senate in aid of legislation, pero nakikita mo ginagawa, mahihiya ang husgado,” the vice president said.
“Allegations are not evidence. Yung corruption is a criminal liability and the only time you can be pointed to as corrupt is when you are convicted by the courts. It’s not pag ikaw ay pinagbintangan.”
[Translation: Again, I’m the (Philippine Daily) Inquirer’s headline. It’s one for the books, I tell you. The senate has been investigating me in aid of legislation for one and a half years now, but even the court would be ashamed of it. Allegations are not evidence. Corruption is a criminal liability and the only time you can be pointed to as corrupt is when you are convicted by the courts. It’s not when you are being accused.]
Binay’s spokesman, Atty. Rico Quicho, also refuted this report.
He claimed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) already said in court that Binay only has one bank account, which only contains P1.7 million.
Quicho adds the AMLC failed to show evidence, which would link Binay to the bank accounts of some of the individuals, corporations, and foundations in question.
“Alam ninyo po, lumang tugtugin na po ito. At ito’y nanggagaling na naman doon sa isang pahayagan na dinemanda na ho natin, sapagkat sa pagsasabi ho ng kasinungalingan ay kailangan po managot po itong pahayagan na ito.”
[This issue is not new anymore. And the report again came from the publication that we already sued in court. By telling lies, they should be held accountable.]
Quicho added, he is saddened that government agencies are being used to bring down the vice president.
Quicho believes efforts are being orchestrated against Binay, due to the upcoming second presidential debates.
