IF indeed Vice President Jejomar Binay has nothing to hide, then he should sign a waiver to allow the opening of his bank accounts, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson told reporters on Thursday.
“I’d like to think that Vice President Binay still has the chance to go for the 2016 presidential run unscathed but he has to do some dramatic moves,” said Lacson.
“For example, kung wala syang tinatago, mas mainam nang magkusang loob na lang sya. Magbigay na lang sya ng waiver dun sa Bank Secrecy Act na wini-waive nya yung rights under the Bank Secrecy Act,” he said.
(For example, if he has nothing to hide, it would be better if he waives his rights under the Bank Secrecy Act.)
Lacson gave this unsolicited advice to Binay amid reports that the latter’s money in his banks, including deposits of his alleged dummies, and son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, reached about P11 billion since 2008.
READ: AMLC: Binay, allies deposits reach P11B
The former senator recalled that he signed a waiver to open his bank accounts when he was being accused that he owned $700 million deposits in the United States and Hong Kong during the time of then President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“So I did that and I would advise the Vice President, unsolicited advice, if he really wants to convince us, kayo pati yung publiko na malicious at saka politically motivated lahat yung binabato sa kanya ,I advise him to write a waiver dun sa Bank Secrecy Act nang sa ganoon magkaalaman na talagang sinisiraan sya,” he said.
Lacson said the Vice President could not simply shrug off the new allegations against him since there are now official records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which sought a freeze order from the Court of Appeals on Binay’s bank accounts.
“It can’t be denied anymore na merong truth dun sa mga sinasabing bank accounts dahil hindi naman siguro makikipag-conspire pa yung Court of Appeals pati yung Anti-Money Laundering Council kung ano man yung merong political motivation against the Vice President,” he said.
Instead of dodging the issue as politically motivated, Lacson said it would be best for Binay to just explain and confront the issue “the way it should be confronted.” AC