Manila: Vice President Jejomar Binay cancelled his speech that would clear himself of alleged corruption, and flew instead to northern Luzon’s Isabela, to assist residents that were hit by Typhoon Kalmaeg, sources said.
“He will proceed with his live national address on Wednesday or Thursday,” said Jonvic Remulla, governor of southern suburban Cavite, also Binay’s spokesman.
Explaining what Binay will say in his speech, Remula said, “The Vice President will give a general overview of what’s happening (in the country). (His speech will centre on) these lies and allegations against him. He will also talk about governance and what he stands for.”
“It will be a touching narrative. The speech, written mostly by him, is emotional, heartfelt, and presidential in tone” said Remulla.
Another source said that Binay’s wife and children were scheduled to join the vice president at Manila’s Philippine International Convention Centre where he was scheduled to deliver his address to the nation,
Accusation
Former Makati City vice mayor Ernesto Mercado accused Binay at the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged overpricing of a recently completed 11-storey building of Makati City’s local government unit.
Mercado also said that Binay allegedly demanded 13 per cent of the cost of development projects in Makati City, from developers, in exchange for the release of their business permits from Makati City’s local government unit.
Mercado admitted at the Senate inquiry that he delivered money in large duffel bags to Binay, his wife, and children.
Binay’s son, Jejomar Erwin, mayor of Makati City since 2010, was included in the plunder complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, for the same accusations hurled against the vice president.
In reaction to Binay’s plan to give national speech, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee that reopened Binay’s investigation based on complaints already filed against the latter at the Ombudsman’s office said the vice president’s statement under oath at the senate inquiry will carry more weight, than a live national speech.
Binay has continuously refused to attend senate hearings, adding they were prompted by political enemies who want to persecute him. .
Explaining why the important event was cancelled, Binay’s office said in a statement, “The Vice President thinks that while there is an appropriate time to respond to the issues (of corruption hurled against him), the need to alleviate the suffering of typhoon survivors cannot wait.”
“The Vice President wants to reassure the people of Cagayan and Isabela that their government is ready to assist them,” the statement said, adding that after Binay’s visit in Cagayan, he will proceed to Isabela, the hometown of his mother..
Last Friday, Binay’s office invited press people to attend his speech at the PICC at two Monday afternoon.
Earlier, Binay announced his plan to run for the presidency in 2016. Since then, his popularity rating has remained higher than Aquino.
Binay was elected vice president in 2010, after serving as mayor of Makati City for three terms.
At the time, Binay was an opposition candidate while Aquino ran under the ruling Liberal Party.
Binay was one of the staunchest followers of former President Corazon Aquino after she was propped up to power by a people-backed military mutiny that ousted former president Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
