Binay Jr. to Sen. Trillanes: Be ready with your apology

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.. INQUIRER PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines–Once the accusations are proven false, he better apologize.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. sent this message to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who had sought a Senate investigation into the alleged overpricing of two government buildings in the city.

The Makati mayor, his father Vice President Jejomar Binay and several other Makati officials are facing a plunder complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman over a P1.56-billion building project which critics described as the priciest “car park” facility in the country.

The Binays maintained, however, that the building also housed offices and had cost that much because of its “green” or environment-friendly features that required more expensive materials.

“When the facts all come out and the allegations are proven false, we ask nothing in return but a public apology from the senator who authored the probe and from the (Senate) committee for allowing itself to be used as a venue for character assassination and political demolition,” the mayor said Wednesday.

Binay Jr. made the statement a day after his sister Sen. Nancy Binay insisted that the Senate probe sought by Trillanes was unnecessary.

The mayor said the inquiry was “nonetheless welcome” but noted that Trillanes was “clear(ly) not interested in ferreting out the truth.”

Based on the senator’s statements, he had “made up his mind and he intends to use the Senate hearing as a platform to malign the name of the Vice President,” the mayor added.

“For one, he said he will present witnesses against the Vice President. May we remind the senator that this is not a trial. It is supposed to be a hearing in aid of legislation.”–Kristine Felisse Mangunay