Binay decries ‘abuse of law’ in possible arrest of son

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines -Vice President Jejomar Binay decried the “abuse of law” being exercised by the Senate as his son, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay is facing possible arrest and detention if he would continue to snub the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearings.

In an interview on Sunday, Binay said that they would abide by the terms set by the Senate if the blue ribbon committee decides to arrest and detain the Makati City mayor.

“Detention and arrest will be the consequences of the contempt citation filed against him (Junjun Binay). Let us see how the events will turn out. I know that my son is firm. Our principle is at stake here. We will not break the law. Yet, the law is being abused,” Binay said in Filipino.

Asked if their camp will appeal the Senate blue ribbon committee’s decision to the court, the vice president said that it remains to be seen.

The Binay camp has long maintained that the investigation, which initially tackled the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2 and expanded to probing corrupt practices reportedly committed by the vice president, is a politically motivated attack.

Last Friday, Senate blue ribbon committee chair Teofisto Guingona Jr. issued a “final call” for Mayor Binay and six Makati City officials to face the Senate panel or risk being arrested.

“I make this final call as an effort on my part to avert a situation where the Senate blue ribbon committee would have to issue an Arrest Order for Mayor Binay and other officials concerned,” Guingona said in a statement.

The Senate blue ribbon committee will convene on Monday to mull on the panel’s next action.

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