Tony Tiu submits unnotarized document on Batangas property

MANILA, Philippines - Beleaguered businessman Antonio Tiu on Thursday submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee a document supposedly proving his rights over an agricultural estate being linked to the Binays.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said Tiu submitted at 9:22 a.m. a one-page agreement between him and Laureano Gregorio for the purchase of the controversial estate in Rosario, Batangas.

The document, however, was not notarized.

"This is a standard practice. This is not the first time that I have entered into an agreement based on a one-page memorandum of agreement," Tiu explained.

Tiu said he has no deed of sale or any other document regarding the purchase of the Batangas property.

Last week, Tiu testified for the first time before the Senate but he failed to show proof that he owns the agricultural estate.

In that hearing, Tiu told senators that what he bought was the "usufruct" of the land or the right to use the land.

Asked if he is the owner of the property at present, Tiu said: "I'm the owner over the rights."

"Magiging owner din po tayo," he said.

Tiu is accused of being used by Vice President Jejomar Binay as a front to hide his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

He said in a television interview earlier this week that he is prepared to go to jail if proven that he is Binay's dummy.