UNA exec: Binay going to 'war' this week

MANILA, Philippines - Expect Vice President Jejomar Binay to go on the offensive this week when he answers allegations that he owns a 350-hectare property in Batangas, an official of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) said on Monday.

In an interview with ANC's Headstart, UNA secretary-general JV Bautista said Binay himself will present documents this week proving that he does not own the controversial agricultural estate.

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He answered in the affirmative when asked by program host Karen Davila if Binay is now going to "war" and on a major counter-offensive.

"That's how it looks like," Bautista said.

"We're going frontal. Enough of [being] defensive. He doesn't have to be defensive," he added.

Bautista said, however, that Binay will not "go down to the level" of Senators Alan Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV who are holding the Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee hearing on the Makati City Hall II parking building.

"The VP will maintain and preserve the dignity of his office," he said.

In the ANC interview, Bautista criticized Cayetano and Trillanes for prejudging the Vice President. He echoed Binay's remarks that the Senate probe was politically motivated.

He also accused Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas of conspiring with Cayetano to bring down Binay in time for the 2016 presidential elections.

Binay has refused to attend the Senate hearings and face his accusers. He only answered allegations that he pocketed funds from all projects in Makati City through press conferences.

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