By Paulynne Joyce R. dela Cruz
VICE PRESIDENT AND presidential candidate Jejomar Binay clarified graft and corruption accusations against him during his visit with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan representatives last Dec. 8 at Silliman Hall.
Only five students were able to ask questions because he arrived at SU around 11 a.m. instead of the 10 a.m. schedule. Prior to the forum, Binay attended the Mass at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Binay also toured around the SU campus with his colleagues.
Binay also toured around the SU campus with his colleagues.
When asked by students on graft and corruption and his alleged involvement in corrupt practices, he said that “these are two different things.”
He said that graft has something to do with illegal procedure while corruption has something to do with money or financing.
“Ako, mga 85-95 percent ng mga ibinato sa aking akusasyon, lahat ‘yun easy question[s] of procedure,” Binay added. (85-95 percent of the things I was accused of, they are all easy question[s] of procedure.)
Last July 2014, Binay was charged of graft and corruption cases like the overpricing of the New Makati City Parking building, which violates Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Sa ating community, masasabi lang natin na may kasalanan ka pagka-nagkaroon ng desisyon ang hukuman,” Binay said. (In our community, we can only say that you are guilty when the court already has a decision.)
Meanwhile, Binay’s running mate, Sen. Gringo Honasan, shared that his visions for the country include education, poverty alleviation, and security, among others.
Honasan said that one of his visions is making sure that the potential of Filipinos is ‘harnessed.’
He also challenged the audience to help the government change the political culture of the Philippines.
“Let’s now be engaged in a united approach against criminality, rapists, kidnappers, [and] drug pushers,” said Honasan.
Binay and Honasan also visited other towns and cities in Negros Oriental such as Bais, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, Guihulngan, Vallehermoso, among others.~
