Binay seeks moratorium on cases vs government execs

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay wants a suspension in the filing of cases against public officials at least one year before elections to protect them from harassment by political opponents.

He made this known during a speech at the National Unity Party convention at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City yesterday.

“I want to point out that there should be a moratorium,” he said. “It should be enforced to all politicians seeking elective posts so there would be no harassment.”

Corruption complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman were prematurely elevated to the Sandiganbayan to place an accused official under preventive suspension ahead of the elections, Binay said.

“This is not just a story,” he told reporters in Filipino after his speech.

“This is really happening. Many are threatened in exchange for their support.” 

He will push for a new form of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for Congress if he is elected president to allow lawmakers to immediately respond to their constituents’ needs, especially during  calamities, Binay said.

He plans to revisit the Supreme Court decision declaring the PDAF unconstitutional, he added.

He won’t call it PDAF because that is no longer allowed, he said when asked if he intends to bring back the PDAF.