Binay slams Sen. Cayetano’s challenge over corruption

Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay AP FILE PHOTO

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday dismissed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s challenge for him to answer the corruption charges against him instead of “hiding and bullying” his accusers.

Binay said Cayetano and the other personalities he had sued – including Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales – should already answer his complaint before the Makati Regional Trial Court instead of ranting.

Binay filed a P200-million complaint before the Makati RTC and claimed he was being the subject of “malicious persecution” to derail his presidential bid in 2016.

“He should answer that already. They should file an answer to my suit,” he said during a visit in Davao City where he was guest speaker at the 50^th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Davao Council held at the Grand Menseng Hotel.

“They should not delay (the filing of their answer) so that we can start talking in court who was lying,” he added.

Binay maintained that the allegations of corruption against him were being made to derail his presidential bid.

He cited the Senate hearings where he had been found guilty already.

“In the Senate, accusations had resulted in convictions,” Binay said, adding that it turned out to be politically motivated.

“Trillanes said there was nothing political in it (Senate investigation). But then he said he was running for vice president,” Binay said.

He also took a shot at presumptive Liberal Party presidential candidate and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for saying that thieves and liars go together.

Roxas was commenting on Binay’s pronouncement in Iloilo City that the only way for the presumptive administration bet to win is to cheat.

“Ang mahihirap eh galit sa matapobreng mayayaman (The poor detest the rich, who feels superior),” Binay said in reaction to Roxas’ statement.

He also repeated his claim that there was no way for Roxas to win the presidency because “ang layo layo niya sa survey (he tails in the surveys).”

Asked for his reaction on reports that Health Secretary Janette Garin allegedly admonished officials of the Philippine Public Health Association in Iloilo City for inviting him as keynote speaker for their annual convention last week, Binay said he had already expected that.

“There’s more to come. I am telling you, this government is very vindictive. They were lucky they were only admonished and not sued,” he said.

He also admitted that the United Nationalist Alliance continues to find a suitable running mate for him and among those being shortlisted was Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“The search committee is considering him,” Binay said.