Binay allows peek into his bank accounts

Vice President Jejomar Binay. Marc Jayson Cayabyab/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY— Vice President Jejomar Binay has signed a general waiver that would allow the Anti-Money Laundering Council to look into his bank accounts, and dared the other presidential candidates to do the same.

In a statement, Binay’s campaign spokesperson Joey Salgado said the Vice President’s waiver and his call for all the candidates to undergo lifestyle checks was his response to assertions he did not answer the corruption allegations thrown at him by his rivals in the second presidential debate here.

“We, the undersigned candidates for president of the Philippines, hereby authorize the Anti-Money Laundering Council or its duly authorized representatives to open and check all bank accounts under my name, under my spouse’s name, my children’s names and my children’s children’s names to ensure full transparency in this election process,” read the waiver that Binay presented to the media during a press briefing Tuesday at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino-Mactan.

“We, the undersigned candidates for president of the Philippines, also voluntarily submit ourselves to a lifestyle and government service performance check in accordance with the law,” added the document dated March 20.

Binay affixed his signature on top of his name. Blank spaces were reserved for the signatures of Sen. Grace Poe, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Mar Roxas.

Duterte was the first to respond, saying he would sign the waiver, but not in behalf of his children, “because it would be unlawful.”

“My children are of age and I cannot act for them,” he said.

During Binay’s press conference, documents he supposedly wanted to show during the presidential debate were presented. These included his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN), statement of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE), income tax returns, and a waiver he signed authorizing the AMLC to subject him and his family to a lifestyle check and a bank investigation.

A medical certificate from Makati Medical Center was also presented which stated that Binay was physically and mentally fit, It was signed by three doctors after a medical check-up on Jan. 27.  Michelle Joy L. Padayhag, Inquirer Visayas, with reports from Connie Fernandez, Inquirer Visayas; and Nancy Carvajal