Cayetano dares Binay: Interrogate your accusers

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate probe on the Makati City Hall II parking building resumed on Thursday with Sen. Alan Cayetano challenging Vice President Binay to finally show up and face his accusers.

Binay and his son, Makati City Mayor Erwin "Junjun" Binay, were again absent in the hearing on the controversial building along with some city hall officials invited to attend the probe.

"We are giving everyone the opportunity to speak... The Vice President is invited. Ang problema ay kung ayaw nilang sumagot," Cayetano said at the televised hearing.

The senator also disagreed to Binay's claim that the Senate testimonies against him were not evidences but merely allegations because the witnesses were not cross-examined.

He then dared Binay, a lawyer, to do the cross-examination himself provided that he will not hide from the investigation and be also open to interrogation.

"Kung haharap ka dito, papayag ka na kahit sino sisiyasatin ang sinasabi mo, doon po makakahusga ang komite at ang publiko kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo," Cayetano said.

"Kung ang tingin po ni VP Binay na sila'y (witnesses) nagsisinungaling, I will move to suspend the rules na siya mismo... ay mag-cross examine sa lahat ng witnesses na pumunta dito," he added.

Binay and his son are facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman for allegedly making money through the allegedly overpriced construction of the parking building.

In the past hearings, former allies and Makati officials accused Binay of benefiting from all projects in the city and of rigging public biddings.