Binays back in limelight in Senate probe

Vice President Jejomar Binay (left), his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay (right). Makati city hall parking building II (inset). INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — After a lull of more than two weeks, a Senate blue ribbon subcommittee resumed its hearing on Wednesday into the anomalous transactions allegedly committed by past and incumbent officials of Makati City.

Among the resource persons invited were officials of Alphaland Corporation led by businessman Roberto Ongpin and Mario Oreta, officials of the national executive board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Teresita Herbosa, and Commissioner Heidi Mendoza of the Commission of Audit.

The last hearing by the subcommittee headed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was on January 29, 2015, when Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay was arrested and detained in the chamber for continued refusal to face the committee.

Binay had to be forcibly taken to the session hall to attend the hearing. But when he stood firm against answering questions of senators, the subcommittee decided to release him.

After attending one hearing, the mayor repeatedly rejected the succeeding invitations of the panel as he questioned its authority to investigate the issues. He also repeatedly requested for advanced copies of questions to be asked during the hearing but his request was turned down by the subcommittee.

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