Belmonte urges Binay to show he’s not afraid to face Senate inquiry

House speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/HOTARU NIITSU

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said on Monday that Vice President Jejomar Binay should not be afraid of attending a Senate probe into his wealth and his transactions as a mayor of Makati City years ago because he would be surrounded by his allies, including his daughter.

“For me, the Vice President has many adherents in the Senate, there are many who are for him there, not only his daughter but also others,” said Belmonte who did not name Binay’s supporters in the Senate. His daughter, Senator Nancy Binay, and his allies have made themselves scarce from the Senate probe where only Senators Aquilino Pimentel III, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes IV have been consistently attending.

“My advice is for him to go ahead and appear there (Senate) because he appears to be scared of going there. He should not be afraid because I am sure they will respect him because he is the Vice President of the Philippines after all.”

“That’s the best way to respond because a great number of people are not happy about he’s decision not to appear,” said Belmonte who maintained that the House of Representatives would not endorse any impeachment case against Binay.

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