Drilon: SC can't stop Senate probe on Makati parking building
MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon believes the Supreme Court (SC) cannot stop the inquiry into the Makati City Hall II parking building, which is being questioned by the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
In an interview published on the Senate website on Friday, Drilon said the Blue Ribbon Committee has jurisdiction over the investigation since it was conducted in aid of legislation.
Drilon said the Binays may bring the issue to the SC. But as far as he remembers, there had been no instance when the high court stopped an inquiry.
"I don't believe the SC has the power to enjoin legislative acts. The principle of separation of powers dictates that we are supreme in our own sphere," Drilon said.
"That matter (inquiries) and a number of cases have been brought to the SC and the SC has always sustained the right of legislature to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation," he added.
But if the SC decides to stop the probe, Drilon said the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislative would call for the Senate to continue its investigation in aid of legislation.
Binay and his son, Makati City Mayor Erwin Binay, are facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman for allegedly benefiting from the construction of the purportedly overpriced carpark building.
The Blue Ribbon committee invited Binay to attend the hearing on Thursday but he did not show up. His son was also absent after he filed a jurisdictional challenge before the Senate panel, which was denied by the members of the committee.
The incumbent mayor, who had been served a subpoena, argued that the Blue Ribbon sub-committee does not have jurisdiction to determine a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Plunder Law.
During the past hearings, Binay had been accused by witnesses that he pocketed kickbacks from city projects and rigged their biddings. He had denied the allegations and repeatedly criticized the Senate probe for being unfair and politically motivated to bring him down.
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