Binay camp questions AMLC forfeiture case

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday filed an omnibus motion which questions the forfeiture case filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) against the vice president.

The forfeiture case covers 139 bank accounts and 19 real properties under the names of Binay, dismissed Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr., Gerardo Limlingan Jr., former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, businessman Antonio Tiu and 47 others.

The Manila Regional Trial Court, however, issued a gag order to the AMLC and the camp of Binay in connection to the forfeiture case filed against him.

"This is a confidential proceeding according to the court and if you will give interviews, you will be cited for contempt and we have to respect that," Binay's legal counsel Claro Certeza told members of the press.

Binay's camp noted that the filing of forfeiture is prohibited within one year before any general election or within three months before any special election as stated by Republic Act (RA) 1379.

According to the vice president's camp, the forfeiture case is a violation of RA 1379 or the "Act Declaring Forfeiture in Favor of the State Any Property Found to Have Been Unlawfully Acquired By Any Public Officer or Employee and Providing for the Proceedings Therefore."

Meanwhile, vice presidential spokesperson and lawyer Rico Quicho said that Binay has volunteered to the court not to touch funds in his account until all legal issues have been resolved.

"This is a voluntary act to show that vice president has nothing to hide and is confident in his position that the AMLC petition is not only illegal, but also a clear act of political harassment," Quicho said.

Quicho noted that the AMLC has allowed itself to be a part of the demolition team against Binay, one of the presidential aspirants in the 2016 elections.

Binay has earlier denied allegations that he has 242 bank accounts and insurance policies, which the Court of Appeals ordered to freeze.

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