VP Binay elated Senate probe to end soon

TIES THAT BIND A shot of a PowerPoint presentation by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano during the fourth Senate hearing on reported corruption in Makati City during the Binays’ tenure shows the interlocking directorates of people allegedly close to Vice President Jejomar Binay. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday expressed elation over reports that the Senate is winding down its investigation into the allegations of corruption against him to pave the way for the inquiry into the disastrous operation in Maguindanao that killed 44 elite police commandos.

“We welcome that news that the (Senate) subcommittee will conclude its investigation. Vice President Jejomar Binay can soon focus on rendering services and implementing the programs concerning the housing sector and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” lawyer Rico Quicho, one of Binay’s spokespersons said in an interview.

He said Binay needed to focus on his work as the presidential adviser on OFW concerns especially after three overseas Filipino workers were recently abducted by unidentified gunmen in war-torn Libya.

“We have been asking the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee to end the investigation and file the appropriate charges if it indeed has strong evidence to back them up,” Quicho said.

He said in the end the accusations had not been found to have bases. “With the absence of evidence, they should really end the investigation soon.”

Planning to wrap up

On Thursday, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who initiated the investigation into the Binay’s supposed questionable transactions when he was the mayor of Makati, including the overpriced Makati City Hall parking building, announced that the committee was planning to wrap up its investigation before Congress takes a break next month.

Four more hearings will be held before the investigation’s conclusion, he said.

The Senate is diverting its attention to the Jan. 25 police operation that killed 44 Special Action Forces (SAF) commandos, with the start of the hearings set next week.

Binay was among those calling for suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima to face the investigation and speak up about the fatal clash between the members of the SAF and Muslim rebels in Mamasapano in Maguindanao, following reports that he was the one who called the shots during the tragic police operation.