(Updated 10:39 a.m.) The Senate blue ribbon committee on Wednesday formally invited Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend its hearing on the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and corruption allegations against the former Makati mayor on November 6, Thursday.
In a letter signed by its chairman Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the committee reiterated its invitation to Binay “to make an appearance in a public hearing on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. to be held at the Senate Plenary Hall to shed light and deliberate” on the issue.
“Please, rest assured that we will extend the courtesies befitting the Office of the Vice President,” the letter dated October 28 stated.
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Binay’s spokesperson for political concerns, said they will discuss the invitation with the Vice President.
“The Office of the Vice President just received the invitation one hour ago. The Vice President is in the Bicol Region this weekend. We will discuss the matter when he arrives,” Remulla said in a text message to GMA News Online.
Binay’s camp earlier said the Vice President will only attend the hearing if it will be the main committee, and not the subcommittee, which will make the invitation.
At present, the hearings on the controversial building are being conducted by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee headed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.
Binay, his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and 21 others are also facing a plunder complaint in connection with the Makati City Hall Building II construction before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Binay has since denied the allegations against him and his family, dismissing the same as part of a demolition job against him in connection with the 2016 elections. — RSJ, GMA News
