Sniff and scratch

There were a few more questions posed by columnist Solita Collas-Monsod with respect to the DasmaGate incident, with Mayor Junjun Binay and Senator Nancy Binay forcing their way through the closed gates of the exclusive enclave of Dasmariñas Village while their aides brandished guns at hapless security guards. These questions were interesting, including why, even up to now, the Binays haven't been charged for abusing their authority, and why the story came out so late.

Solita Monsod's last question was intriguing. She asks; how was it possible for the sister of the twin powers, Congresswoman Abigail Binay, to be able to afford a home in this tony subdivision?

I was actually wondering about that, considering homes in this area list for millions of US dollars. What was the source of the funds used by Congresswoman Binay in purchasing her expensive home? Is this something that will make the ears of BIR Commissioner Kim Henares perk up, and will we soon see an investigation? Or does everybody just assume that the Binays are independently wealthy and let this question fall on deaf ears? As Solita Monsod so frankly observes, the smell of fear is in the air. Sniff, sniff. That smell might explain why nobody has made a stench out of this unexplained wealth.

The fact that I characterize the house as unexplained wealth leads to the question. Do we even have a right to ask for explanations about the wealth of the Binays? Are we being gossipy and incredibly nosy (guilty!) by focusing on this? Or are we just being mean-spirited and vindictive, as some defenders have suggested when the news story broke out? Their slant is, this whole exposé is just making mountains out of molehills and is being used as political capital against the Binay dynasty.

Personally, I don't think this area of inquiry is out of bounds. We have a right to know the sources of wealth of politicians. That is why they are made to disclose their holdings from day one of assuming power, with the required Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

If we weren't paying attention to the Congresswoman's holdings before, that shouldn't stop us from paying attention now, and looking at specific items that pop up in front of us. That is why there are lifestyle checks on government employees, so we can determine if they are living beyond their means. Once a politician enters the political arena, then he is a legitimate subject of inquiry, even scrutiny, by the average Jane.

Where do the other Binays live? Surely in residences that approximate the Congresswoman's own. A mayor, a senator and a vice president must merit their own palatial environments. Funded when and with what, considering their collective earning power? Will somebody perform this exercise?

In the next couple of years, we will see the Binays more, as Vice President Jejomar Binay implements his much bruited-about campaign for the presidency. His opponents might use this avenue to attack him, unless they have their own unexplained wealth issues to protect. Will we ever see these questions posed and answered? Will President Aquino unleash his prosecution authorities to take charge of the abuse of authority allegations? Will the legislative branch, a.k.a. the Blue Ribbon Committee, ever investigate the unexplained wealth angle?

I have more questions too, like, who leaked the video tapes from the security cameras to the press? I'm sure the Binays are also curious to find out. (And the leaker is simply dying to be left a mystery.). Why did he or she leak the tapes? What was his or her motivation?

What about the security guards who had the unfortunate luck of being on duty at the time the Binay entourage came through, and who were taken into custody by the Makati City police? Solita Monsod reports that they have all gone on leave. Why? Can they afford a holiday break at this time? Where have they gone? And much as I do not like posing this question because it reveals so much about our society, will we ever see them again?