Audio tape of VP Binay claiming property surrendered to Senate

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Photo from Binay’s official Facebook page)

MANILA – The audio recording of the interview wherein Vice President Jejomar Binay allegedly admitting a Batangas farm estate has been surrendered to the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee.

“I have submitted a copy of the interview I made. I used this to interview him. Everything was on the record and he knew he was recorded,” journalist-blogger Raissa Robles told Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano during the hearing.

The tape featured her interview with Binay in June 29, 2010 after he won the vice presidential race.

Robles said that the interview’s duration is one hour, 26 minutes, and 15 seconds and covered various topics. It was held at Binay’s residence in Kaong Street, Makati City.

Below is an excerpt of the interview as mentioned by Robles:

Robles: Sir, how many hectares is the Batangas property?

Binay: I have a piggery there (garbled)

Robles:Around 10 hectares? Eleven?

Binay: Yeah.

Robles: So around 10 hectares? Was it an inheritance?

Binay: I bought it.

Robles: Okay

Binay: I think it was just 3 centavos. 30 pesos per square meter.

During a press statement, Binay’s spokesperson for political concerns Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said that the ownership of the farm had already been clarified by their lawyers.

“The Vice President was referring to the purchase made by Agrifortuna when he and Dr. (Elenita) Binay were the majority stockholders. The Vice President divested from Agrifortuna in 1994. He then formed JCB farms as a single proprietorship, which leased the property from Mr. Gregorio,” he said.

He added, “I think we need to be reminded that before jumping to hasty conclusions. Even journalists need a clear grasp of all the facts.”

Robles added that the Binay’s owned a “very long and beautifully made table” and some “very good sculptural pieces.”

When asked about her thoughts on the Binay’s dining room, Robles said that it looked like it belonged to a well-off family.