Noy wants Senate to ‘wrap up’ senate discussion on Binay

President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the Coffee with Media held at the Maritem Hotel. The President arrived here on Friday (September 19) for the last leg of his four-nation tour of Europe to meet top Geman officials and business executives. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Aquino on Tuesday said that he wants the senate to wrap up “as soon as possible” the ongoing investigation into the alleged corruption by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The president spoke to several reporters who travelled with him to China and said that the senate subcommittee should immediately reveal all the details and present the necessary evidence to back up their claims.

“Habang nandiyan, tuloy ‘yung problema eh. Gusto mong tapusin ‘yung problema as soon as possible, may solusyon, may bago ka na kaagad,” he said. (While it’s ongoing, the problem continues. You want to finish the problem as soon as possible, you want a solution, so you can move on to the next challenge.)

“This is just my personal take in all of these,” he added.

He added that revealing allegations “in dribs and drabs” has to end.

“I guess I would have to respect the co-equal branch. But, at the same time, the request is…does it have to be in dribs and drabs? Can we not have the whole list? Is the proof really there? Is it substantial proof or what-have-you? Hindi ko maiaalis, siyempre, tulad ninyo, iniisip ko rin: Parang may balance in politics at saka ‘yung responsibilities natin dito. (I can’t help but think, of course, like you, I’m also thinking: There should be balance here between politics and responsibilities.) And I’d like to think, ano, that we have responsible members in the Senate who are attending to their other functions besides this,” Aquino said.

Aquino also explained that he did not intended to ask the senate to stop the investigation when he called Senate President Franklin Drilon.

He clarified that he only told him about Binay’s request to stop the inquiry which is currently conducted by his critics Antonio Trillanes IV, Allan Peter Cayetano and Aquilino Pimentel III.

The President, who was also a former senator added that he knew how the senate will not be accepting any forms of “suppression” of their power to decide whether to end an inquiry or not.