No representatives, gatecrashers: Only Binay will be accommodated by Senate body

MANILA, Philippines — Only Vice President Jejomar Binay, and not his spokesmen or any representatives, would be entertained by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when it convenes on Thursday, its chairman, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, said on Tuesday.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Guingona pointed out that the committee would only convene to accommodate Binay, who had repeatedly turned down the invitation of its subcommittee investigating the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall 2 parking building.

Asked if the committee would accept should Binay decide to send his representative to the hearing, the senator said: “Ay hindi (No). The invitation is personal, to the person.”

“It’s for the Vice President to attend, that’s it. No one else. This session is an invitation to the Vice President, no one else,” Guingona stressed.

“Kung sasabihin (If he will say) he will not be coming anymore, I’ll just cancel (the hearing),” the senator added.

Until now, however, the committee has not received any official word yet from Binay himself if he would attend the hearing or not.

Guignona reiterated that the Vice President would be given due courtesy, fair treatment, and enough time to answer all allegations being hurled at him should he decide to appear before the committee.

Binay has been accused, among others, of receiving kickbacks when he was still the mayor of Makati City and for allegedly using dummies to hide his alleged unexplained wealth. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Guingona said the Vice President may also invoke his constitutional rights if he wishes to.

“Anybody can invoke their constitutional rights even a private citizen,” said the senator.

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