Binay dares Trillanes to show proof of allegations in public debate

By: Christine O. Avendaño - 10 years ago

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV and Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Wednesday he wanted a public debate with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV so that people would come to know the truth on the corruption allegations against him, as his camp warned the senator to be prepared because he would not be immune from suit in this forum.

Binay said that he dared Trillanes to the one-on-one public debate because he stood no chance to air his side in the ongoing Senate inquiry into the corruption allegations against him.

Trillanes was also the one who filed the Senate resolution that led into the investigation of his alleged involvement in the overpriced Makati City hall II building, he said.

“So harap tayo para malaman ano talaga ang totoo (Let’s face off to bring out the truth),” Binay told reporters after he spoke before businessmen at the Manila Hotel.

Binay’s camp warned Trillanes that he should back up with “irrefutable” proof his allegations against the Vice President because otherwise Binay would file charges against him.

“If he has no proof on his claims, especially on the Rosario, Batangas property, then the Vice President can file charges against him,” Binay’s spokesperson Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla told reporters.

Remulla said that in this debate, Trillanes would have no immunity from suit, which he has been enjoying inside the halls of the Senate.

Remulla said that the Vice President wanted an “even playing ground” to make his case in seeking the public debate with Trillanes.

Remulla also said they were leaving it up to Trillanes to set the date, time and venue for the public and televised debate.

But he said they would like the debate to be moderated by the deans of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo De Manila University in order to set the “tenor” of the debate.

“I think it will be a disservice if the Vice President and the senator would end up shouting each other,” Remulla said, in explaining the need for the law deans to “temper” the debate.

Asked on the invitation by the mother committee of the Senate blue ribbon for Binay to appear before them, Remulla said they would first do the debate before considering the invitation.