Binay stopped from using documents in debate to disprove allegations

CEBU CITY—Vice President Jejomar Binay was prevented by TV-5 to use the documents he intended to use to disprove the corruption allegations against him.

The debate was delayed for over an hour after Binay’s nemesis Mar Roxas opposed Binay’s move to bring in the documents during the debate.

Binay brought out the document to show that he signed a bank secrecy waiver allowing the Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate his bank accounts.

READ: Dispute on Binay’s notes mars second presidential debate

TV 5 news and public affairs chief Luchi Cruz-Valdes, who earlier apologized for telling Binay he could bring the documents even though the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has established a rule prohibiting it, stopped Binay and said the network would comply with the Comelec rules.
“With all due respect, the Comelec has ruled that there would be no notes allowed during this debate. Mawalang galang lang po, ako ay humihingi ng paumanhin kay Mr. Vice President, kasi kami po ang nagbigay ng pahintulot sa kaniya na magdala ng notes. Na ‘yan din po ang dahilan bakit naantala ang pagsimula ng debate,” Valdes said.

(Excuse me, I apologize to Mr. Vice President because we initially gave him the permission to bring notes. That also caused the delay to this debate.)

“With all due respect, Mr. Vice President, we have to tell you we will abide by the Comelec rules. There will be no notes during this debate,” Valdes said.

READ: In risky move, Binay challenges debate rule

Binay said he brought documents, not notes for the debate.

“It’s not notes. It’s a document, excuse me,” Binay said. IDL

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