Guingona: Still no word if Binay will face Senate probe

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has yet to confirm his attendance on Thursday's Senate hearing on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall II parking building.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, committee chair, told reporters on Tuesday that they have not yet received feelers from Binay's camp.

Guingona has invited Binay to attend the Nov. 6 hearing.

"Still waiting for official word. Unless I get official word, I don't want to say anything," Guingona said when asked about the preparations for Binay's possible attendance.

Guingona said if Binay attends the hearing, he has to take questions but he can just also ask for a time to make a statement and then leave.

"If he can ask it, he can ask it. Whether we will grant it, then that's another story. But really I think in the spirit of fairness, he can be asked questions also," Guingona said.

The senator said all the members of the Blue Ribbon Committee can participate if Binay shows up, including Sens. Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Cayetano who have accused the Vice President of pocketing public funds and concealing his allegedly ill-gotten wealth.

Guingona assured that Binay will be treated "fairly" in the presence of his political foes at the Senate.

"Magtatanong pa rin sila (Cayetano and Trillanes), pero I control the proceedings. And I will make sure that it will be done with the proper decorum," he said.

Binay, however, can always invoke his constitutional right to remain silent during the hearing, according to Guingona.

Guingona said he will not be offended if Binay decides to snub his invitation.

"If he makes that response that he will not come, I'm sure he will lay down some reasons why and so we will take a look at the reasons," he said.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said Binay wants to attend the hearing to personally disprove the corruption allegations hurled against him.