By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Whether or not he will attend the Senate investigation on the Makati City Hall Building 2 next week is entirely up to Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“Sa aking tingin, hindi po dapat pilitin ang Pangalawang Pangulo ng bansa na humarap sa Senado. Kusang loob po dapat ang pagharap niya,” Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday said.
That the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee invited him is enough, the Ilonggo senator said.
“’Yan po ay nasa discretion na ng vice president kung siya ay haharap ba o hindi,” he stressed. “Hindi ko po pipirmahan ang subpoena out of respect for his office.”
Binay was supposed to make a live address on Monday in response to issues being raised about the allegedly overpriced Makati building.
He had to cancel it, however, because he will “see to the needs of the victims of typhoon ‘Luis’ in Cagayan and Isabela,” said his spokesperson, Gov. Jonvic Remulla of Cavite.
“There will be an appropriate time to address the issues raised during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing,” said Remulla. “The vice president believes the needs of the typhoon victims are immediate and should be attended to.”
Binay is expected to respond to the issue today.
Sen. Nancy Binay earlier said she would not encourage her father to attend the hearing next week.
The Senate inquiry is not the proper forum where her father can defend himself, the senator said.
According to Senator Binay, the investigation has become a “teleserye.” It is a “waste of taxpayers’ money,” she stressed./PN
