Escudero: There’s basis for raps vs Binay

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Wednesday he believed there was “sufficient basis” for the corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay, citing the Court of Appeals’ freeze order on Binay’s bank accounts.

Escudero made the statement in a television program where he was asked whether he believed the corruption allegations against the Vice President, whose camp immediately issued a statement denying the charges.

“At the very least, there is sufficient basis because otherwise the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) or the Court of Appeals would not have issued such an order,” Escudero said.

He said he signed the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee report that recommended the filing of plunder charges against Binay in connection with the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II which was started under his term as Makati City mayor.

Escudero had supported Binay’s bid for the vice presidency in 2010 but the two had a falling out in 2013 reportedly when Binay’s camp did not support Escudero’s bid for a senate seat.

Asked whether he had any regrets for supporting Binay’s in 2010, Escudero said: “I do not regret anything I’ve done simply because I did not know these things at that time.”

“I learn from it. I pick up from it. But I do not regret,” said Escudero, who is being touted as the running mate of popular Sen. Grace Poe should she decide to run for president next year.