Aug 292014
 
CAPITOL HILL MEETING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos and Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay discuss bilateral issues with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the United States Senate, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Ariel Penaranda)

CAPITOL HILL MEETING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos and Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay discuss bilateral issues with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the United States Senate, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Ariel Penaranda)

MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of intimidating a witness in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged irregularities in the construction of Makati City Hall Building II, which supposedly benefited the Binay family.

Alam ba ninyo, kahapon tinangka pang pigilan ni Sen. Trillanes ang testimonya ng kontratista? Sinabihan siyang wag nang tetestigo, pinagmumura pa siya ni Sen. Trillanes,” Binay, who was Makati mayor when the building was constructed in 2007, said at a press briefing in Pasay City.

He added that Trillanes, who filed the resolution that set the blue ribbon committee investigation in motion, even threatened to file a plunder complaint against the witness if he will not cooperate.

Dinuro pa siya at tinakot [yung witness], sinabing ipinasasama pa sa reklamo, tinakot na ipa-plunder,” Binay said, as he reiterated that neither he nor his family received kickbacks from any Makati projects during their tenure as Makati mayor.

Ako at ang aking pamilya, wala kaming tinanggap kahit kailan o kahit saan,” he said

Trillanes has yet to comment on Binay’s accusation.

Binay, who has been topping surveys on possible presidential candidates in the 2016 elections, said the ongoing investigation by the Senate blue ribbon committee could be connected to an upcoming survey.

Sa mga hearings, binibigyan laya lang ang mga gustong manira sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Ang dahilan ay ang parating daw na survey siguro,” he said.

A plunder and graft complaint has been filed against Binay and his son, incumbent Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, in connection with the alleged overpricing in the construction of Makati City Hall Building II. The younger Binay was city councilor in 2007.

The Senate is conducting an inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged overpricing of the 11-floor parking and office building. The building has a total floor area of 31,928 square meters and has five parking floors, five office floors and a basement.

The investigation was launched after Renato Bondal, the younger Binay’s opponent in the 2013 mayoralty race, alleged that the building was overpriced by P2 billion. (MNS)

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