MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay is considering filing charges against individuals, including some senators, over what he dubbed as an attempt to destroy his reputation.
“In the next few days, wait for it and we will file charges,” Binay said during a radio interview in Iloilo on Friday.
Asked if the charges to be filed will include senators, he said, “If we can prove it, if we gather enough evidence to show that they (committed acts) not covered by their immunity.”
Binay noted that some senators have given media interviews, which he said are not covered by the parliamentary immunity from prosecution.
“The immunity only applies during the hearings,” said the Vice President.
Three administration senators – Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV and Aquilino Pimentel III – are leading the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearing on the allegations against the Vice President.
Binay earlier announced his intention to file charges against former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado, who faced the Senate to reveal alleged malpractices committed by the Vice President.
Mercado, Binay’s former political ally, revealed supposed irregularities in various projects in Makati City and of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, which is headed by the Vice President.
But in his interview, Binay reiterated that the allegations against him were fabricated in a bid to destroy his reputation.
“It is no longer effective because I have explained myself,” he said.
Meanwhile, Binay also discussed his decision not to face the Senate probe, even as he urged resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima – who is suspended by the ombudsman over corruption charges – to face the senators.
The Philippine Star
