Binay backers face off with protesters

MANILA, Philippines–Carrying streamers denouncing Vice President Jejomar Binay for the alleged overpricing of the P2.28-billion Makati City Hall Building II, Makati residents belonging to United Makati against Corruption (Umac) staged a rally outside the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where Binay was delivering a speech to defend himself against the charges thrown at him by his former officials in Makati during his three terms as the city’s mayor.

Lifestyle check

The group faced off with Binay’s supporters, who also staged a rally outside the PICC, although both sides claimed they were not there to fight each other but to show their support for their causes.

Umac leader Jhasper Cuayzon said Binay did not answer the issues “point by point” as the Vice President had promised.

Cuayzon said Umac was challenging Binay to submit himself to a lifestyle check to prove that he had nothing to hide.

“Instead of explaining himself in a prepared speech, why doesn’t he face the Senate probe and testify under oath?” Cuayzon said, noting that Binay should not be afraid if he was telling the truth.

Cuayzon said Binay’s speech sounded like a State of the Nation Address because he “bragged about his projects and good governance.”

Cuayzon said Umac was not afraid to continue searching for the truth in the issues involving Binay.

“We will continue holding protests like this until he agrees to answer the issues in the proper forum,” Cuayzon added.