Nancy Binay—SENATE PRIB Alan Peter Cayetano —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay’s ethics complaint against Senator Alan Cayetano will undergo due process, according to Senator Francis Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
In a Teleradyo interview on Tuesday, Tolentino said the panel will follow the rules of procedure for filing ethics complaints.
“Based on the rules, when a complaint is filed, the ethics committee will have preliminary determination,” he added.
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Tolentino also said that although the panel is still incomplete due to reorganization, he will convene it once the session resumes to conduct the preliminary determination.
“After I convene, there will be a preliminary determination whether the complaint is sufficient in form and substance to warrant an investigation,” he explained.
“There will be punishment but there will be due process. There needs to be a hearing. I’m sure everyone is interested,” he added.
When asked about the implications of the ethics complaint, Tolentino said he cannot say what will be the effect.
“If you are referring to the effects on the institution, I cannot tell. Only time and history can tell and judge. I cannot answer that. Everything is evolving,” he added.
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Binay filed a 15-page ethics complaint against Cayetano over his alleged “offensive, derogatory, and improper” remarks against her during the hearing on the cost of the construction of the new Senate building in Taguig City.