'Senate probe has chilling effect on innocent parties'

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay warns that the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee investigation on the Makati City Hall II parking building has a "chilling effect" on anyone who could provoke the ire of senators.

In an e-mail sent to STAR columnist Jose C. Sison, lawyers Martin Subido and Princess Turgano reiterated Binay's position that the Senate probe is not in aid of legislation but one that is designed to malign his name and character.

"Using the revered halls of the Senate for 'trial by publicity' is not only a great disrespect to the institution but also serves as a 'chilling effect' against innocent parties who may incur the ire of its members as it can be used as a forum to malign, castigate, insult and/or humiliate them," the lawyers said.

They also reiterated that the allegations made against Binay during the Senate hearings are self-serving and inadmissible as hearsay evidence before the courts.

"But we all know that a person’s guilt or innocence is not established before the Senate – it is a matter for the Courts to decide," the lawyers added.

Binay and his son, Mayor Erwin "Junjun" Binay are facing graft and plunder charges before the Ombudsman for allegedly amassing kickbacks from the supposedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall II parking building.

The two Binays have refused to attend the Senate hearings wherein former Makati officials and his allies accused the Vice President and his family of benefiting from all projects in the city and of rigging public biddings.

Related: COA report: Medical equipment in Makati overpriced by P61M

The Vice President has been challenged to face his accusers and cross-examine them, provided that senators will also be allowed to interrogate him.

The younger Binay, meanwhile, earlier filed a jurisdictional challenge before the Blue Ribbon Committee challenging the jurisdiction of the sub-committee to continue with the current inquiry.