Bayan spokesperson Teodoro Casiño. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Even the militant group that kept quiet as Vice President Jejomar Binay was pummeled in a corruption scandal last year is now speaking up.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) came out swinging at Binay on Saturday saying the information reported by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) “indicates corruption of such scandalous proportions.”
“This cannot be dismissed by general denials or attribution to a demolition job by the Vice President’s enemies. At the very least, being public officials, the Binays have an obligation to show the true figures of their wealth and explain how they acquired this,” Bayan spokesperson Teddy Casiño said.
Systemic plunder
Last year, Bayan opposed the Senate inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the construction of Makati City Hall Building 2 and accused President Aquino of unleashing his “attack dogs” on Binay while he remained silent on the corruption allegations against his allies.
But now after being criticized for the Left’s deafening silence on the allegations against Binay, Bayan is singing a different tune.
“The reported billions stashed in bank accounts allegedly owned by the Binay family and their close associates, as reported by the AMLC to the Court of Appeals, constitute grave allegations of systemic plunder of public funds by a high government official and his cohorts,” Casiño said.
‘Election drama’
Casiño, however, warned the public that the corruption scandal could be played out as part of the 2016 “election drama,” aimed at neutralizing the opponents of the administration.
“It is in the public interest to see the principal players investigated and properly charged in court. Even as we seek truth and accountability with regard to the Binays, we reiterate our demand—all of those involved should be called to account,” he said.
Casiño noted that it is the duty of the courts, the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice and related agencies to see to it that appropriate charges are filed against those involved.
Aquino gov’t hit
Bayan, however, lashed out at the Aquino administration, accusing Malacañang of “systematic corruption” in the guise of pork barrel and public-private partnership projects.
“Those who have long misused public funds or juggled the national budget for illegal and self-serving ends should also be held accountable, from President [Aquino to] Budget Secretary Butch Abad [to] administration allies who have been tagged as clients of Janet [Lim]-Napoles,” Casiño said, referring to the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam.
Casiño said he believed that once Binay pulls out of the 2016 presidential race, the charges against him will quietly go away like what happened to the Nationalista Party’s Sen. Manuel Villar after Mr. Aquino won the 2010 presidential election.
RELATED STORY
Left’s deafening silence on Binay issues