Binay hits Blue Ribbon for dragging daughter into controversy

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay lashed out yesterday at the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee for dragging his youngest daughter into the controversy over his alleged farming estate in Batangas.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Naga, Binay decried Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s presentation of Instagram photos of Joanna Marie Binay last Thursday showing her and the rest of the Binay family spending Christmas in the Batangas estate in 2012.

He said Cayetano’s move was apparently part of efforts by his political foes to destroy his reputation and ruin his chances in the 2016 presidential elections.

The presentation was made during Thursday’s hearing on allegations of questionable transactions made by Binay when he was still Makati mayor.

“You know it saddens me that even my youngest daughter is being dragged into this campaign to destroy me. Can’t they spare my daughter from their persecution and mockery of me? I leave this up to the Lord,” Binay said in Filipino.

Cayetano said that by presenting the Instagram photos, he was trying to prove that the Binays are the true owners of the vast Batangas property.

But the Vice President said there is a portion of the Batangas property that is open to the public and where people can take pictures or rent facilities for recreation.

“There is a place inside that property that is rented out by Agrifortuna and we can take our pictures there. I don’t think our pictures are evidence that we are the owner of the land. We were just invited,” Binay said.

Agrifortuna Inc. is a company founded by Binay and his wife Elenita, along with Laureano Gregorio Jr. and two others.

The property had been reportedly sold to Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corp. of businessman Antonio Tiu.

The Vice President also criticized senators for not allowing his spokespersons to participate in last Thursday’s hearing.

United Nationalist Alliance secretary general JV Bautista and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco attempted to say something to the panel but was cut off by Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Cayetano.

“That is not new. That is trademark Cayetano. Who does he think he is? Even my lawyer (Bautista), who has every right to be there, was thrown out. I don’t know, these people in the Senate have their own version of the law,” Binay said.

Bautista and Tiangco said they wanted to present evidence that former Makati City vice mayor Ernesto Mercado had been lying under oath and that he was being used by the Liberal Party. 

Still for Binay

Despite allegations of corruption against Binay, the Vice President has not lost his appeal among administration lawmakers, particularly those from the Liberal Party, Parañaque City Rep. Gustavo Tambunting Jr. said yesterday.

He said the accusations against Binay in the Senate have not dampened the resolve of LP and other pro-administration lawmakers to ally with UNA.

“Many more still want to join UNA. We also have some 15 applicants (for UNA senatorial candidate). Some are returning senators,” Tambunting said.

When asked if some of their allies are leaving Binay’s camp, he said. “None. In fact, more people want to join us.”

There were talks that one of the reasons why President Aquino had floated the idea of seeking another term was to flush out LP members planning to bolt the party.

Tambunting confirmed reports that world boxing idol and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is among UNA’s prospective senatorial candidates. – With Paolo Romero