MANILA, Philippines–Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Tuesday that those investigating him are afraid they would be held accountable for their “misdeeds and abuse of power” should he get elected president in 2016.
Binay made this statement as he called on the people to take a closer look at the ongoing Senate investigation into the parking building controversy in Makati “to see what it really is.”
“First, the so-called legislative agenda of that investigation has been unmasked as simply an inquisition designed to bring disrepute to my person by the abuse of parliamentary rules,” he said.
Vice President Jejomar Binay AFP FILE PHOTO
“Those investigating me are simply there because as they admitted they do not want me to even launch a presidential campaign, obviously fearing that should the people support me they would be made accountable for their misdeeds and abuse of power.”
“And they themselves want to be in power and see me as a threat to that ambition,” said Binay, who has declared his intention to run for president in 2016.
Contrary to claim that investigation of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee was “in aid of legislation,” the Vice President said, “The legislative character of the investigation is brazenly replaced by a route of inquiry that is judicial in nature but masquerading as ‘in aid of legislation’.”
“If there are serious accusations being peddled by my enemies, the truth could be proven in a way that civilized societies do–with hard, unassailable evidence,” he said.
“I ask our people to examine closely the direction the so-called investigation is taking. So far, they have resorted to humiliating me and my family with such viciousness I have not seen employed by the Senate before,” he pointed out.
Binay said the Senate investigation also showed that civil rights could become the first casualty in politics.
“The so-called investigation at the Senate sends a dire warning to everyone: that for the sake of politics, civil rights are the first casualty,” he said.
“I pity the ordinary government employees and citizens who are being hammered, the effect on their daily affairs, the scorn and ridicule they are being subjected to that no private individual should suffer in a democratic society,” Binay said.
RELATED STORIES
Binay firm about not attending Senate hearings
8 in 10 Filipinos want Binay to face Senate probe—SWS poll
Binay to Senator Santiago: Prejudged, will you still go to hearing?
Santiago: ‘What is Binay afraid of?’
RELATED VIDEOS
