Binay: Moral problem is poverty, not corruption

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday the moral problem his administration will fight is poverty, not corruption should he be elected president in May 2016.

 Binay, who is facing various corruption allegations, made the statement during the presidential forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

“The moral problem is not corruption, the moral problem is poverty. That is what I want to face, not the fight against all these allegations, but the fight to alleviate the life of every Filipino,” Binay told the forum moderator.

Binay is facing five plunder and graft complaints before the Ombudsman in connection with alleged corruption in various infrastructure projects in Makati during his stint as mayor.

The Vice President was asked how he would convince businessmen to invest in the country amid corruption allegations leveled against him.

 The Vice President said he thinks “what created the fear, if ever there is, is the intensity of allegations. It’s the job of the court whether you’re guilty or not… but part of the Filipino culture is we easily believe allegations.”

The Vice President also defended anew his non-appearance in the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearing on alleged corruption in Makati City when he was the mayor.

 “I did appear in at least five instances in press conferences, presentation of meetings. The allegation that I’m not forthcoming because I did not appear in the Senate I think is incorrect,” he said.

 Presidential candidates Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II also attended the forum.