Poe to Binay: Waive your rights under bank secrecy law

Senator Grace Poe has fired the opening salvo of the delay-marred second presidential debate as she dared Vice President Jejomar Binay to waive his rights under the bank secrecy law to answer the allegations of graft and corruption pressed against him.

For the debate’s first question, Poe was asked why the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, a priority legislative measure of the administration, was not passed into law.

The poll frontrunner said that while the Senate version of the bill has been passed, the delay was caused by the House of Representatives.

“Ngayon, kaya hindi ito nakapasa kasi hindi ito nakapasa sa Kongreso rin. Nangyari yun kasi maski sinasabi nila na ito’y prayoridad ng administrasyon, hindi natin naramdaman na ito’y kanilang itinutulak,” she said.
(The FOI bill was not enacted into law because it wasn’t passed in the Congress. Although the administration has been repeatedly saying that the said bill was among its priority, it was hardly felt.)

Asked to react, Roxas said that should he be elected the next president, he would pass the FOI bill. Duterte also said that he would follow Roxas’ lead.

Binay said that if elected, he will issue an executive order to enact the FOI bill.

Poe then said: “Mawalang-galang na po pero marami po kaming katanungan sa inyo na hindi niyo nasasagot sa Senado. Paano naman po kami maniniwala na magpapasa po kayo ng tunay na freedom of information law?”

(Excuse me for saying this, but we have a lot of questions for you in the Senate that were left unanswered. How can we believe then that you will pass a real freedom of information law?)

The vice president replied that people should have faith that he will not renege on his promise. He also emphasized the need to pass an FOI law to ensure transparency in the government.

“Kailangan itong freedom of information (bill) kasi ito ang sagot sa crime and corruption, sa transparency,” Binay said.

(The FOI bill is necessary because it would be the solution to crime and corruption and [it would reflect] transparency.)

To which Poe replied: “So gusto niyo po bang mag-sign ng waiver ng inyong mga accounts?”

(So would you be willing to sign a waiver [opening all your] bank accounts [for public scrutiny]?)

The vice president, who was prevented by Commission on Elections rules to bring documents on the podium, said that his documents would prove that he has allowed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to investigate his accounts over allegations that he pocketed billions while he was still mayor of Makati City.

READ: What went before: Makati City Hall Building II probe

The Inquirer has reported that an AMLC report showed that Binay pocketed billions while sitting as Makati City mayor. The Binay camp has denied the report. RAM

READ: AMLC: Binay got billions

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