VP Binay: Corruption allegations only hearsay, won't stand in court

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday refuted again the corruption allegations thrown against him, branding them as "hearsay" that will not stand in a court of law.

In his much-anticipated televised national address, Binay said his accusers have not presented credible evidence during the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearings on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall II parking building.

Binay, who is facing a plunder complaint over the controversy, has been accused by former Makati City officials of rigging public bidding and getting 13 percent of each project in the city as kickbacks.

He said the allegations against him were old issues just being rehashed.

"Ang bintang na ang bidding ng proyekto diumano ay niluto o rigged ay hubad na salita lamang dahil walang dokumentong ipinakita o pinanghahawakan. Ang bintang na kumita raw ang mayor dahil umaming kumikita ang vice mayor ay haka-haka lamang. Ito ang tinatawag naming mga abogado na hearsay o sabi-sabi," Binay said.

"Ang bintang na komisyon na diumanoy nakasilid pa sa malalaking bag ay sabi-sabi lamang ng dating vice mayor. Gaya ng iba pang sinabi sa Senado, wala ring ipinakitang ebidensya," he added.

Binay belittled the evidence and testimonies presented in the Senate probe, which he has criticized for being "politically motivated."

"Samakatwid, wala sa ipinangangalandakan nilang testimonya ang tatayo sa isang hukuman ng batas. At dahil hindi tatayo sa hukuman ng batas, ipinalalabas na lang nila sa mala-circus na pagdinig sa Senado," Binay said.

The Vice President, the front-runner in the 2016 election surveys, also hit back at some senators for their demeanor during the hearings.

"Sa aking mga katunggali, i-angat natin ang antas ng pamumulitika… Tigilan natin ang pagsisinungaling at paninira sa kapwa. Humarap tayong lahat sa isang malinis at patas na halalan," said Binay.

Binay did not say in his speech if he will attend the Senate hearings, but he declared that he will not back down.

"Sa tuwing may pagsubok, hindi ako umaatras. Ako ay laging lumalaban," Binay said.

In his speech, Binay reiterated that all transactions done during his term as Makati mayor were all above board. He again claimed that the Commission on Audit found no irregularity in the construction of the carpark building.

Binay also said no overpricing or anomaly will be found if the controversial structure will be compared with other government buildings such as the House of Representatives Annex Building and the Sandiganbayan Building.