Junjun Binay says he’s ready to be detained by Senate panel

Published January 26, 2015 2:17pm

(Updated 3:03 p.m.) Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. on Monday expressed readiness to turn himself in to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as a consequence of his continued refusal to attend the hearings of the Senate subcommittee on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and other alleged anomalies.

“Hindi na po nila ako kailangang arestuhin. Tatalima po ako sa naging decision ng Senate Blue Ribbon committee.... Magpapa-detain po tayo,” Junjun Binay said in his press conference in Makati City following the order of the Blue Ribbon Committee for his arrest after citing him and five others in contempt.

“Maling mali ang ginagawa nila. Nung nagpunta ako dun (sa hearing) kinukutya nila tayo pero pinababayaan yung mga nagsisinungaling. Selective ang application ng rules,” he said,

He added that the Makati officials were just after fairness and due process.

“Ang gusto namin ay fairness at due process, malinaw na iisa lang ang intensyon nila. Ang siraan ang pangalan ng aking ama at sirain ang mga opisyal dito,” Junjun Binay said.

Binay said he already have his clothes and personal things ready in anticipation of his impending arrest.

After the press conference, Binay also faced his supporters gathered at the Makati City Hall and explained his decision to surrender.

“Kami po ay nahalal sa posisyong ito para paglingkuran kayo, pero dahil po sa masamang pulitika, pati kayo po ay nadadamay,” Binay addressed his supporters.

“Ang ipaglalaban ko po ay prinsipyo na...Hindi ko po nilalabanan ang Senado mismo, meron lang ilang senador na walang respeto sa karapatang pantao, pero tatalima po tayo sa kanilang kautusan para ipakita na hindi natin nilalabanan ang Senado,” Binay said.

Binay also called on his contituents for continued support to his family, especially to his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Ang hiling ko lang po ay patuloy ninyong ipagdasal ang aming pamilya, lalong lalo na po ang aking ama na patuloy na sinisiraan dahil lamang sa pulitika,” Binay said.

Junjun Binay and his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, are accused of plunder in connection with the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II.

The Vice President, a six-term mayor of Makato City, is also alleged to have been involved in bid rigging, receiving of kickbacks, owning a 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas, and a log cabin in Tagaytay Highlands, among others.

The older Binay repeatedly denied the allegations saying these were part of an operation to diminish his chances of winning in the 2016 presidential elections.

The Vice President also refused to heed the invitations of the subcommittee to attend the hearing but he was not cited in contempt in respect to his position as the second highest elected official of the country. —Amita Legaspi and Elizabeth Marcelo/NB/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: jejomarbinay, junjunbinay, makaticityhallbuildingii, makaticityhallbuilding2