MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay denies owning an estate in Batangas, but for one of his daughters, it is their "place" in the province.
During the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee inquiry into the Makati City Hall II parking building, Sen. Alan Cayetano showed screenshots of Joanna Marie Binay's posts on Instagram.
The younger Binay, who used the handle @jmblicious, posted photos of the property in Rosario town that is being linked to her father.
In one photo that showed a swimming pool, Binay's daughter said "our place in Batangas."
In another photo, Binay's daughter commented "Family dinner."
Cayetano noted that the account of Binay's daughter has been deactivated.
"It is one proof that they are now keeping the pictures that they themselves, once upon a time, wished to share with the world," Cayetano said.
For lawyer Martin Subido, legal counsel of the Vice President, the younger Binay's photos are not proof that they own the controversial property.
He said the younger Binay's photo comment "our place in Batangas" "could mean a lot of things...in any sensible man's world."
"They are not claiming right adverse to those of Sunchamp," Subido told Cayetano.
Subido was referring to Sunchamp Real Estate and Development Corp. of his best friend, businessman Antonio Tiu, who is accused of acting as a dummy of the Vice President.
Subido also serves as corporate secretary for Tiu's companies.
During the hearing, Tiu insisted his ownership of the property, which he calls Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Farm.
Subido had said that Binay only leased, not owned, the estate.
But in an interview with journalist Raissa Robles, who presented its audio recording at the Senate, Binay said he bought around 10 hectares of land where he set up his piggery business.