Alleged Binay dummy ready to be jailed

MANILA, Philippines - Embattled businessman Antonio Tiu said he is prepared to go to jail if proven that he is being used by Vice President Jejomar Binay as a front to hide his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's late night news program Bandila on Tuesday, Tiu insisted that he is the real owner of a sprawling agricultural estate in Rosario, Batangas being linked to the Binays.

Tiu said he is ready to be charged and face the consequences.

"May batas naman po ang Pilipinas kung ako po ay napatunyan na nagkasala e dapat kong harapin ang kaparusahan," he said.

Tiu said he will present tomorrow a memorandum of agreement proving that he has rights over the controversial property before the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the Binays.

He also denied that he is Binay's friend, claiming again that he only met the Vice President three times. He answered in the negative when asked if he supports the beleaguered official.

The businessman also downplayed his employees' links to the Binays.

"Ang importante naman dito sa case na 'to, kailangan lang naman nating patunayan is kung sino ba talaga ang may-ari. E kung ako ang may-ari, e di wala ng isyu," Tiu said.

Last week, Tiu testified for the first time at the Senate probe but he failed to convince senators that he is the legitimate owner of the Batangas property.

In an interview with ANC on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano said Tiu could be charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and tax violations if he is proven to have lied before the upper chamber.