UNA says its anti-corruption agenda won’t be about ‘selective justice’

Amid the various controversies faced by Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Monday took a swipe at the administration’s allegedly selective brand of justice and vowed that its anti-corruption agenda will not be anchored on personal vendetta but on strengthening government.

Party president Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said UNA is serious in promoting governance resulting in a positive impact on the people, unlike the Aquino administration whose definition of effective leadership under the"Tuwid na Daan" motto “is all about selective justice and political persecution.”

"Hindi namin gagamitin ang pagsugpo sa korapsyon para sa personal na paghihiganti, propaganda, papogi, pamumulitika o pantakip sa palpak na pamamalakad na nagreresulta sa paglala ng kahirapan ng taumbayan, tulad ng kalakaran ng administrasyon at mga kaalyado nito," he said in a statement.

Tiangco said UNA will make sure that the charges to be filed against erring officials will be based on strong evidence, not hearsay or “congressional witch-hunting masquerading as tools for legislative work.”

The legal process and rights of the accused will also be strictly observed, he added.

"Ang pagsugpo sa korapsyon ay dapat hindi lamang isang tema, islogan o dahilan para usigin ang mga kalaban sa politika. Ito ay dapat naka-angkla sa batas at ipinapatupad nang walang pagkiling sa mga piling kakampi ng mga nagpapatupad nito,” Tiangco said.

UNA will follow the law

In promoting UNA’s brand platform of governance, the lawmaker disputed Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s statement last week that the Vice President never promised during the party launch on July 1 that he would not steal money from public coffers if elected as president.

Tiangco assured that UNA will adhere to the law and respect the Constitution since its platform is anchored on the rule of law and will be applicable to all individuals in all levels of government.

“UNA is committed to uphold the constitutional design of checks and balances in the three co-equal branches of government, and promote transparency and accountability, as they have been weakened by threats and bribes under the current dispensation," he said.

The UNA executive’s statement comes a day before the Senate blue ribbon committee resumes its investigation on the allegations of corruption against the Vice President.

His camp has repeatedly said he will not show up at the Senate hearings because he has already answered the accusations against him in an affidavit he submitted to the chamber in November 2014.

Meanwhile, the Vice President’s son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, has been suspended by the Ombudsman in connection with the plunder and graft charges filed against him over the allegedly overpriced construction of a building of the Makati City Science High School. He temporarily stepped down from his post last week after failing to get a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals.

The Binays’ camp has dismissed the allegations against the Vice President and members of his family as part of a well-oiled and well-financed plan to derail his presidential bid in 2016. — BM, GMA News