Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay admitted on Wednesday that he was hurt after being labeled by his detractors as thief.
“Masakit ha, biro mo naman ‘yun sa loob at labas ng Senado tinatawag kang magnanakaw. Medyo masakit ho ‘yun,” Binay said in an interview in Camarines Sur, a transcript of it was furnished to reporters.
The Vice President has been accused of receiving kickbacks while he was still the mayor in Makati City and using dummies allegedly to hide his unexplained wealth. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
He has also repeatedly refused to accept the invitation of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee to appear before it and face the allegations against him.
Despite these challenges, Binay remained confident that he would clear the air if he would go directly to the people to explain his side.
“Kaya nga ho tayo naglilibot dahil sa ito ho ang isang magandang pamamaraan. Talo na ho kami sa media, sa frequency talo na ho kami. Talo na ho kami sa mga broadcasters. Tanggap na ho namin ‘yun. Pero, talo naman namin sila sa sipag para humarap sa tao at magpaliwanag,” he said.
To prove that he was not running away from the issues being thrown at him, Binay himself challenged one of his accusers , Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, to a public debate that will be arranged by the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
“I’m excited. Dito, the public will know who is saying the truth,” he said.
And amid reports that some of his allies were advising him not to continue with the face off, Binay said: “Aba, ako ho ay, ako ho ang naghamon, wala hong atrasan ‘to kung ako ho ang tatanungin niyo. Basta’t magkakaharapan po tayo.”
“Nakikiusap ho ako doon sa mga nagsasabing hindi pa ako nagpapaliwanag, tatlong beses na akong nagpapaliwanag hanggang ngayon sinasabi pa hindi ako nagpapaliwanag. Oh, ito pa ho isang pagkakataon para marinig po naman ninyo ang aming, sa aming banda ‘yung paliwanag po namin,” the Vice President added.
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