“It is not our nature to kill” – Sen. Nancy Binay

Sen. Nancy Binay. Photo courtesy of Binay’s official Facebook page.

MANILA – After Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Sen. Nancy Binay couldn’t help but comment on former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado’s accusations that the Binays seek to cause him harm for exposing misuse of government funds in Makati City.

“Wala ho sa ugali namin na mamatay-tao (It is not in our nature to be killers),” Sen. Binay said in an interview.

In the Senate blue ribbon hearing earlier today, Mercado read a letter addressed to his family saying that if anything bad happens to him, the Binays are the ones behind it. His letter specifically mentioned Vice President Jejomar Binay, who served as Mayor of Makati prior to his veep post.

According to Sen. Binay, the threats to Mercado’s safety are his financial obligations due to his gambling problem. She added that Mercado needs a large amount of money to pay for his debts.

“Siguro kinakapos siya ngayon kaya nandito s’ya ngayon at nagpapagamit (Maybe he ran out of money, that’s why he’s here and he’s letting people use him [against us]),” she said.

“And I think you can check that kung papaano siya magtaya sa sabungan, sa casino, high roller nga yan. Alam ko dati lumilipad pa nga siya sa Las Vegas para mag-casino (And I think you can check how he bets in cockfights, in casinos. He’s a high roller. As far as I know, he would even fly to Las Vegas just to go to a casino),” Sen. Binay added.

Mercado denied Sen. Binay’s allegations that he is being used in a smear campaign against the Senator’s famous political family.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, current Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, are currently underfire for an allegedly overpriced parking facility in Makati City.

With report from Maila Ager