Drilon backs Senate’s protracted Binay probe

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon yesterday said he supports the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee in the face of criticisms of its ‘long-playing’ probe into the alleged widespread corruption involving Vice President Jejomar C. Binay during his terms as Makati City mayor.

There is still no end in sight on the sub-committee’s probe into the alleged graft-ridden building, services and supply contracts that spanned the mayoralty days of the Vice President starting in 1987 to the current tenureship of his son, suspended Makati Mayor Irwin Jejomar ‘’JunJun’’ Binay.

Drilon said the inquiry is taking a long time because two close confidants of Binay – Gerardo ‘’Gerry’’ Limlingan and Eduviges ‘’Ebeng’’ Baloloy – refused to appear before the Senate to clear their names and that of the Binays from allegations of widespread graft.

Aside from Limlingan and Baloloy, seven others reportedly close to the Binays also chose to snub the committee hearings.

Drilon said he had signed the arrest orders for the two and several others to force them to appear before the Senate so that its sub-committee could wind up its inquiry.

The Senate chief stressed the need for the Senate to impose its rules so that nobody would take for granted the constitutional powers of the Upper House.

Hence, a nationwide manhunt by the country’s law enforcement agencies has been ordered by the Senate leadership.

Aside from the Vice President, the sub-committee has heard allegations of corrupt practices against Binay’s wife, former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay, and JunJun Binay.

The public hearings began in August last year.

Binay himself has snubbed the inquiry which enters into its 25th probe next month.

“At the rate we are going, the public hearing will go beyond the mid-October filing of certificates of candidacy for those seeking elective positions through the May 2016 national elections,” said Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee.