Consultants’ skills doubted

The camp of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay challenged Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV yesterday to explain the expertise of his houseboy and two drivers who are among his consultants.

“Sagutin lang ang simpleng tanong na ito at tapos ang kuwento,” said lawyer Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman for political affairs.

“Imbes na sagutin ang isyu ng pagkuha ng dalawang drayber at isang houseboy bilang consultants, humarap si Sen. Trillanes sa media na galit na galit. Sa halip na magpaliwanag, sinisi nya ang Office of the Vice President,” Quicho said.

The consultants – houseboy Eddie Ybañez and family drivers Bernard Allen Marzan and Jay-Ar Caro – are paid ₱3,500, ₱11,500, and ₱8,100 a month, respectively, by Trillanes.

Trillanes, a vocal critic of 2016 presidential aspirant Binay, reportedly spends a whopping P1.63 million monthly for the salaries of 63 consultants, raising the eyebrows of some quarters.

The administration lawmaker’s excuse that some of the consultants were hired to conduct “auxiliary support services” was hit by Quicho, noting that it is against existing rules.

“The senator’s so-called official reply raises more questions. The parameters of consultancy services are very clear. Consultants are experts, not support service suppliers,” said Quicho, a former counsel of exChief Justice Renato C. Corona.