‘Probe on Binay nothing personal’

MANILA, Philippines - There is nothing personal about the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s decision to investigate Vice President Jejomar Binay for alleged corruption and ill-gotten wealth, Malacañang stressed yesterday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was just doing her job under the DOJ’s mandate.

Valte made the statement when asked if President Aquino gave the go-signal for the investigation of Binay, who claimed he was being persecuted because of his 2016 presidential ambition.

Valte said it would be more difficult if the DOJ would be accused of sleeping on the job. She expressed support for the DOJ in conducting the investigation.

“They are only carrying out their duty and their mandate under relevant laws,” she said.

“From what you can see from Secretary de Lima, she does not work based on personality. She works based on the facts and circumstances that have been presented.”

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Binay appealed to President Aquino to stop the investigation against him in a meeting last week.

Malacañang, however, would not confirm it. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said he had nothing to do with the meeting as claimed by Trillanes and he was not aware of the supposed request of Binay.

Valte said De Lima’s statements that only Aquino could stop her from investigating Binay were just a “nod and an acknowledgment” that the DOJ chief is “an alter ego of a higher position.”

“I don’t think she intended to drag the President into anything,” Valte said.

Valte said she was also not privy to the meeting between Aquino and Binay.

“I am not aware of any other person that was present during that conversation,” she said.

The National Bureau of Investigation announced it was forming two teams to look into allegations of anomalies against Binay and his family.

NBI director Virgilio Mendez said he had people in mind to comprise the intelligence and “open investigation” teams even if De Lima had yet to officially give him the go signal to proceed with an investigation. Each team will have five members, including field agents.

“There will be a team that will deal with intelligence work – doing the leg work. There will also be a team that will handle open investigation, meaning the taking of statements,” he said. “Both teams would report directly to me.”

De Lima earlier said the NBI would not be required to make recommendations after its investigation but would only gather evidence and submit their findings directly to the Office of the Ombudsman.

For her part, De Lima said the Binay camp should directly confront the allegations against the Vice President instead of resorting to “reckless innuendos” against the NBI.

The Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee led by Trillanes and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is investigating the allegations of alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall parking building when Binay was the city mayor.