Binay allies ‘gatecrash’ Senate probe

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

UNA interim secretary general JV Bautista and Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco. SENATE POOL FILE PHOTO and INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Tension arose at Thursday’s resumption of the Senate investigation into the controversial Makati City Hall 2 parking building after two spokesmen of Vice President Jejomar Binay came uninvited and tried to speak at the hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano stopped lawyer JV Bautista when he took the microphone and tried to make a statement before the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee.
“Mr. Bautista, you’re not a resource person. May I ask the Sergeant at arms to remove…,” said Cayetano, who was interrupted by Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco, who was also at the hearing room and asked to be recognized by the subcommittee.

But the senator also stopped Tiangco.

“Congressman is not also a resource person. They can write a committee but they can’t gatecrash,” Cayetano said of Tiangco.

“He’s a congressman, he knows the rules of the Senate and the House if you wish to write the committee…but you cant just raise your hands and come when you are not a resource person…” said the senator.

At this point, committee chairman, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III decided to suspend the proceeding.

Originally posted at 10:18 am | October 30, 2014