Binay denies owning Batangas property

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday disputed reports that he owns a nine-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas.

Joey Salgado, Binay's head of media affairs, said in a statement that the lessor of the property is Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corp., operator of Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park.

Salgado reiterated that the JCB Farms of the Vice President used to be a mere tenant of Sunchamp Park. He denied that the Binays or JCB Farms own a mansion, pool and garden on the Batangas property.

"These were facilities and amenities constructed by the original owner, Mr. Laureano Gregorio, in the area where the farm is a lessee," Salgado said.

Binay's camp had said that he started his piggery business on the Batangas property through a sole proprietorship under the name JCB Farms in 1994. He sold the property after the 2010 elections.

On Monday, Salgado cited claims of JCB Farms employees that a helicopter was seen hovering around the property last week.

Salgado believes that Binay's accusers will raise the issue today in the Senate sub-committee hearing on the Makati City Hall II parking building.

"The detractors will show aerial photos of the said property, an amateurish attempt to do a repeat of the 'Purisima' expose," Salgado said, referring to the controversial residence of Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

Salgado said Binay's lawyers will make a point-by-point rebuttal of the allegations immediately after the Senate sub-committee hearing.