Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said that an investigation by the Commission on Audit (COA) of his projects when he was still Makati mayor is part of the government's plan to "harass" him.

"Alam mo natuwa kami dito kay [COA] Commissioner Heidi Mendoza. Ito ginagamit lang ng pamahalaan para mangharass eh," Binay told reporters in an interview on Tuesday.

He issued the statement after it was revealed that a task force "quietly created upon the insistence of Mendoza" is currently reviewing the programs and projects of Binay during his 23-year stint as mayor.

In a statement earlier in the day, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) identified the Makati Friendship Suites, one of Binay's projects when he was still Makati mayor, as one of the projects under investigation.

Binay said that an earlier review of the project when he was still mayor already cleared him.

"Biruin mo Mayor pa lang ako pinasasagot na sa akin iyon, sinagot ko naman, tinanggap naman iyong paliwanag, heto na naman pinalalabas pang initiative. Kung maya’t maya ay binabalikan ka ng issue, hindi na yata normal iyon. Mayroon nang ibang dahilan," said Binay in his interview.

"Hindi naman maitatangging politically motivated ito," he added.

Binay spokesperson Joey Salgado said the timing of the investigation was "disturbing", and that they have been receiving reports of a "demolition plan" against the vice president since early this year.
 
"Apparently, the demolition has begun and the actions of Ms. Mendoza seem to be part of the plan. It saddens the Vice President that until now, there are some elements who will misuse government resources to persecute perceived political enemies," said Salgado.

The vice president said the issue was probably revived because it was the election season already.
 
"Sabi ko nga tama lang sa naririnig namin na hanggang December ay bugbog kami sa demolition. Sa Disyembre mawawala na daw ako, hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng mawawala," he said.

Although Binay will not be running in the 2013 elections, he formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) with former President Joseph Estrada, which is seen as the main rival of the ruling Liberal Party in next year's senatorial polls.
 
"Ang tingin sa akin kalaban sa pulitika, na hindi naman dapat," he said.

"Commissioner Mendoza has been very vocal about her dislike for the Vice President. While we respect her opinion, we would like to remind Commissioner Mendoza that our personal opinions should not color our work or professional judgment, especially in such a politically sensitive office," said Salgado. - BM, GMA News