Binay submits affidavit to Senate committee

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Facebook photo)

MANILA – Dismissing the accusations against him as merely “allegations,” Vice President Jejomar Binay submitted an affidavit to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee disputing the corruption claims.

Binay has been involved in the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II which has been the subject of senate investigation for the past months.

In a seven-page affidavit submitted to the panel investigating the issue, Binay said that the Senate is conducting an investigation that is in no way an aid of legislation adding that it violates his constitutional rights.

He also added that once impeachment proceedings against him begin, the senators are pre-emptying their roles as possible senator-judges.

“The hearing has veered towards false criminal accusations against me,” Binay said.

“It must be emphasized, the Senate shall constitute as the impeachment court in case the House of Representatives initiates impeachment proceedings. Therefore, the senators are unmindful of their role as potential senator-judges,” he said.

“Worst, the senators are acting as prosecutors, judges, and even as witnesses,” he added.

He also refused to answer the allegations against him saying that the accusations are “based on the bare allegations of political detractors.”

“These bare allegations are not evidence,” he added.

Binay also slammed Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV saying that the senator is not after the truth.

“The demeanor and declarations of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano clearly show that they are not after the truth. As declared by Sen. Trillanes, among other things, his objective is to put me to jail,” he said.

He also said that the senators, as lawmakers, must assume their role in making laws and not in prosecuting anyone.

“The role of the legislature is to make laws, not to determine anyone’s guilt of a crime or wrongdoing. It cannot adjudicate or prosecute,” he said.