MANILA, Philippines - The Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid on Tuesday dared Vice President Jejomar Binay to explain to voters the corruption allegations against him during the campaign period.
Coalition spokesman and Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez noted that Binay had refused to appear before the Senate hearings and merely submitted an affidavit to respond to the accusations.
“What is clear is he did not face the inquiry until the end. He evaded the investigation and he repeatedly declined to attend the hearings. He sent spokespersons and lawyers and they questioned the proceedings,” Gutierrez told reporters at the Liberal Party Balay headquarters in Quezon City.
“Perhaps he should just explain to the people during the campaign period,” he added.
Gutierrez said the issues hounding Binay would not be forgotten even if the Senate probe has ended.
“I think many of our countrymen are not happy with a president involved in irregularities. Instead of facing the issues like a true leader, he avoided them, hoping that they will be forgotten by our countrymen,” the lawmaker said.
“Today’s (Jan. 26) Senate hearing reminded our countrymen that the corruption issues against Binay have not yet ended,” he added.
When asked why he thinks Binay remains the survey frontrunner despite the corruption allegations against him, Gutierrez said: “First, he spent a lot on ads. Second, the issues being discussed have changed and the focus was on other candidates.”
Binay topped the latest Social Weather Stations survey on presidential bets, emerging as the choice of 31 percent of the 1,200 respondents. Sen. Grace Poe came in second with 24 percent while Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II ranked third with 21 percent.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ranked fourth with 20 percent while Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago had three percent. – with Levi Mora