CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said that he will sue those who hurled lies against him.
“Maghahabla ako. Hindi ko matanggap ang lahat ng kasinungalingan laban sa akin,” said Binay in a press conference with some members of the Cebu press.
Binay, a lawyer, however refused to divulge the identities of those he will charge.
Binay said he has been accused of graft and corruption cases before the Office of the Ombudsman even when he was a Makati mayor.
“Itong nga kasinungalingan nila laban sa akin, hindi na ito bago sa akin. Noong mayor nga ako, isang sakong kaso ang pina-file sa akin pero ni minsan hindi ako na suspenso,” Binay said.
Binay admitted that he was hurt when his family was dragged into the issues of corruption charged against him.
“Impokrito naman ako kung sasabihin ko na hindi ako nasasaktan. But one thing good about this controversy ay mas nagiging buo ang pamilya namin,” the vice president said.
Binay added that while the 2016 presidential election is still far, criticisms against him will not stop him from pursuing his dream to become the country’s next chief executive.
“Bata pa ako, nangangarap na ako maging presidente. Kahit pinako na ako sa krus ng aking mga kalaban, mahal pa rin ako ng masa. Hindi sa nag mamayabang ako, pero yun ang totoo,” Binay said, assessing his tour around the country.
Binay added that he has been explaining to the Filipino people his side about the ongoing hearing and he sees no need to attend it.
“Nag-explain na ako sa taong bayan. Napakaraming beses na. Ano pa bang klaseng explinasyon ang gusto nila,” said Binay, referring to Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillianes’ continued call for him to appear on the said hearing.
Meanwhile, Binay will stay in Cebu until today to complete his three-day visit.
He was here since last Tuesday visiting residents in Barangay Tisa in Cebu City and in Lapu-lapu City.
Yesterday, Binay went to the towns of Tabogon, Medellin, San Remegio, Daanbantayan and Bogo City, which were some of the areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda.
In Daanbantayan, Binay turned over medical equipment and wheelchairs. Binay and his entourage stayed overnight in the said town.
Uy said Binay will also have a boodle fight in Daanbantayan early morning today before he will proceed to the towns of Tabuelan and Asturias for a meeting with the local officials. He will then leave for Manila.
Meanwhile, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale believes that Binay’s visits in vote-rich province of Cebu is just part of his campaign activities.
“Pangampanya oi, klaro, klaro kaayo,” she told reporters.
Magpale is a member of the administration’s Liberal Party while Binay is a senior leader of the opposing party United Nationalist Alliance.
Magpale said Binay’s presence in the province does not bother her at all, but said she is worried about him snubbing the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the corruption allegations hurled against him.
“Ako personally nabalaka ko. He should defend himself. Adto unta to siya moatobang… But as Vice President mitan-aw ra man kuno siya sa kaayuhan sa mga katawhan, how can you argue with that,” she added. — (FREEMAN)