Lawyer Jose Virgilio “JV” Bautista admitted in an interview over dzBB radio that a number of Binay’s allies, including the party’s interim president Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, have reservations about the debate because they are uncertain if the Vice President’s explanation will lead to the resolution of the controversies hounding him.
“If the debate will result in a enlightening of the issues among the public, welcome na welcome po ‘yan. Siguro sa amin, ang magandang pag-debatehan diyan ay tama pa po ba ‘yong ginaganap na imbestigasyon ng Senate blue ribbon sub-committee tungkol doon sa overpriced building ng Makati. Kasi po ang obserbasyon namin ay… yung imbestigasyon, nag-deteriorate na into [a]witch hunt, into a platform para sirain na lang si VP,” he said.
Although UNA members have differing views on the planned debate, Bautista, the party’s interim secretary general, said that the vice president is determined to face off with Trillanes.
UNA is in the process of constituting a team to meet with representatives from the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), which will sponsor the debate, he said.
According to Bautista, Nov. 10 has been suggested as the possible date of the debate but said that will still depend on Binay’s schedule.
Asked if he is certain Binay will not back out of the debate, Bautista said: “Sa ngayon po, talagang gusto ni VP na magkaroon ng debate. Siya ang naghamon ng debate kaya ayaw niya talaga ito na mapigil.”
Binay and his family have been accused of benefiting from the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and of owning pricey properties in Cavite and Batangas.
His camp has denied the accusations, linking them to a purported demolition job intended to diminish his chances of winning in the 2016 national elections.
Not deserving of Binay’s attention
While Binay has no qualms about facing off with Trillanes, Bautista said some of their partymates feel the vice president will be “stooping down” to the senator’s level by agreeing to debate with him.
Bautista said Trillanes’ remarks in the Senate probe show he is unlike former senators Claro M. Recto, Jose W. Diokno and Lorenzo Tañada who tended to “choose their words” and had “beautiful ideas.”
“Sa totoo lang, nalalaglag ako sa silya ko pag nakakarinig ako ng senador na nagsasalita ng ‘O, Mr. Tiu, ‘wag kang nagpapa-cute sa amin ha. Hindi ka cute. Hindi kami naku-cute-an sa’yo.’ Imagine a senator uttering those words. Kaya may strong reservation kami na itong si Senator Trillanes, hindi ito worthy, hindi ito deserving ng oras at atensiyon ng ating VP,” he said.
The Mr. Tiu that Bautista referred to is businessman Antonio Tiu, who has claimed ownership of the pricey estate in Batangas that Binay is accused of owning. He incurred Trillanes’ ire during last week’s Senate hearing for smiling and at times, laughing while being questioned by senators.
Debate vs. Roxas?
If it were up to him, Bautista said he wants Binay to debate with Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II since they are both expected to run for president in 2016.
“Sila (Binay and Roxas) ang parehong deklaradong presidential timber eh. Oo, maaga pa para doon kaya lang sabi nga namin, parang si Roxas din naman ang behind dito sa kampanya para siraan si VP,” he said.
Roxas, the presumptive presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, has been accused of being the brains behind a supposed “Oplan Stop Nognog in 2016” directed against Binay. He and his partymates have denied the allegation and UNA has yet to prove that such a plot exists.
Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, an LP stalwart, said Roxas should not be dragged into the debate between Trillanes and Binay since he is not involved in the Senate probe.
“It’s VP Binay who challenged Trillanes and the good senator accepted. They (Binay’s camp) is really in a panic mode. They don’t know what to do. The truth is haunting VP Binay,” he said in a text message. — JDS, GMA News
