VP Binay on corruption allegations: ‘Hindi na naniniwala ang mga tao doon’

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday said the public is no longer swayed by the alleged “lies” being peddled by his accusers.

“Hindi na naniniwala ang mga tao doon. Yung mga kasinungalingan nila ay ganoon at ganoon pa rin,” Binay told reporters.

‘Politically motivated’ attacks

He reiterated that the allegations of corruption being hurled against him before the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee — the latest of which was that he received kickbacks from a deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and Alphaland Corporation — are all politically motivated.

“Pinakita naman ng Alphaland at Boy Scouts na aboveboard yun. Hindi pwedeng mangyari sa Alphaland iyon, ang kasosyo nila foreign company, hindi naman pwedeng mangyari yung lagayan na iyon,” he said.

“Pero iyon ang kanilang taktika. After all, alam naman nila na nagsisinungaling sila at alam naman nila na husgado lamang ang makakapagsabi kung may kasalanan ka o wala. Pero tinutuloy pa rin nila, you know why? Kasi they are aiming at the perception. Pero ang perception maikli lang ang buhay niyan.”

SALN declaration issues

Binay also denied that he did not declare all his real estate properties in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs). “Kasama sa SALN iyon. May tax declaration iyon,” he said.

When asked for his reaction to comments that he is only going around the country trying to earn the sympathy of the people, the Vice President said, “Unang-una, masama ba iyon?”

“Doon naman sa sympathy, hindi. Iyon naman ay alam na ng mga tao iyon. Nakakalungkot. Biruin mo, labinlimang meeting na iyon [ng Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee] samantalang sa serious na matter ng Bangsamoro, dalawa pa lang [na meeting] ay ayaw na.”

Meanwhile, Binay said he is determined to run for president in the 2016 elections despite the controversies he is embroiled in.

“Oo naman. Kahit na ako ay kanilang sinisiraan, lalo akong lalaban kasi alam kong kasinungalingan lang ang sinasabi nila at gusto ko rin namang i-share ang aking experience and competence as an executive. Sana iyong mga nagawa ko sa Makati ay magawa ko din sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.