Nancy Binay turns emotional over Senate detention order against brother

By: Maila Ager - 9 years ago

Senator Nancy Binay/INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Nancy Binay broke down on Monday after the Senate blue ribbon committee ordered the detention of her brother, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay Jr.

While being interviewed by reporters at the Senate session hall, the senator turned emotional when she mentioned Junjun Binay’s four children.

“Pagtutuunan ko muna ngayon ng panahon yung mga anak ng kapatid ko kasi alam nyo naman…naiyak bigla ako,” she said, “Alam nyo naman kasi na walang mommy yung mga pamangkin ko, ngayon mawawala pa yung father nila.”

The committee headed by Senator Teofisto Guingona III cited Mayor Binay and five other city officials in contempt and ordered them detained for continued refusal to appear before the blue ribbon subcommittee investigating the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall 2 parking building.

Senator Binay said the contempt citation against her brother was not the decision of the entire Senate but by two senators only. She was apparently referring to Guingona, who moved to approve the contempt citation recommended by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chairman of the subcommittee, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who seconded Guingona’s motion.

“Ini-expect ko yung mga kasamahan ko magkakaroon pa rin ng sense of fairness pero apparently walang ganun,” Binay said.

Asked if she would request to have her brother detained at her office in the Senate, Binay said: “Hindi ko alam kasi baka mapulaan na naman kami na we’re asking for special treatment.”