Binay dares foes: See you in court and find out who’s telling the truth
Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay said he is ready to face his accusers in court, which is the proper forum to ferret out the truth.
“Handa akong humarap sa Ombudsman para maliwanagan ang taong bayan kung ano ang katotohanan sa likod ng mga ibinibintang nila sa akin,” Binay said in a statement on Tuesday.
(I am ready to present myself before the Ombudsman to shed light on the truth behind the allegations against me.)
“Isa lang ang tanong ko sa mga taong nagpaparatang sa akin at sa mga taong nasa likod ng lahat ng ito. [Noong] 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, wala ni isang question o report ng anumang iregularidad sa mga proyektong binanggit nila.”
(I only have one question for the people accusing me and those behind them. In 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 — there was not a single question or finding of irregularity in the projects they mentioned.)
“Pero, mula noong pumasok ang 2014, biglang may special audit, special finding, at kung anu-ano pa (But since the beginning of 2014, we had a special audit, special findings and others),” said the Vice President, who has declared his presidential run in 2016.
Binay issued the challenge in response to fresh plunder charges filed against him and son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay, and other officials in connection with the alleged overpriced Makati Science High School building.
The subject of the complaint filed by lawyer Renato Bondal at the Office of the Ombudsman was the same issue being investigated by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee.
Despite the allegations, Binay said he will fight on.
“Sanay ako sa laban ng buhay (I am used to life’s challenges),” he said.
“At kahit hindi sila patas o makatarungan, hindi ako uurong. Sasagutin ko sa Ombudsman lahat ng mga kasinungalingan ninyo – magharap tayo sa mata ng batas. Dadaan ako sa tamang proseso.”
(I am used to life’s challenges. And even if they are not fair or just, I do not back down. To those who filed the complaint and their backers, I say, I will answer all your lies before the Ombudsman. Let us face each other before the eyes of the law. I will go through the right process.)
It was just unfortunate, he said, that political mudslinging did not take a break even with the onset of Christmas season.
“Magpa-Pasko na, maraming mga kababayan natin ang hirap na hirap ang kalagayan pero pinili ninyong mamulitika,” he said.
(Christmas is upon us, and a lot of our countrymen continue to suffer and yet you chose politics and partisanship.)
“Pero gaya nga ng sinabi ko, magharap tayo sa Ombudsman. Dumaan tayong lahat sa proseso at nang makita ng lahat, kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo,” Binay added.
(But as I have stated, let us face each other before the Ombudsman. Let us all go through the process – so that the people may see who is really telling the truth.)
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