Friday, November 14, 2014

Is Vice President Jejomar Binay Guilty For Unexplained Wealth?

By Alon Calinao Dy: I've watched the news on the TV about the alleged unexplained wealth of VP Binay in Batangas and other properties in different regions, indicating him and his family members as the owners of these assets.


Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senators Cayetano and Trillanes


Doubts and question marks have doubled when VP Binay retreated from his promise to a debate against Senator Trillanes. Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday apologized to Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas for backing out of the argument, but some netizens already accused Binay as a corrupt political leader.

Most of us do not know the facts if VP Binay is guilty or not. Whistleblower and former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado showed some evidence to the Pimentel committee about the alleged unexplained wealth (450-hectare farm in Rosario, Batangas) of Binay family. 
    

            



Senator Mirriam Santiago also stressed that vice president was probably guilty for snubbing the invitation of subcommittee to explain all these properties that tied to him. Perhaps he is guilty and perhaps he is not. I hope one day VP Binay will appear to the subcommittee or mother committee to explain his position.

We've also heard about the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II. The truth is, it is premature to accuse about the alleged corruption the Binays are involved. I humbly ask my fellow Filipinos to respect our senators Trillanes and Cayetano, VP Binay, and President Aquino. 

I know it seems impossible nowadays to get the confidence of most Filipinos because of rampant corruption in the Philippines, but too much politics in the country are obviously the big problems we all face today and the ones who are killing us. At the end of the day, politics is politics.

Binay has been linked to multi-million corruption, but look at our provinces if there are no anomalous projects going on. For instance, the province of Catbalogan, Western, Samar, which was reigned by the Tan family over the last 15 years. The Tans repeatedly escaped corruption allegations thrown at them. For more details about the Tan political dynasty and their alleged corruption, click here.

The future may not be so bright for all Filipinos if we continue to close our eyes on the subject of bribery and corruption in the Philippines. What is apparent is that many of our elected officials and residents do not want to intervene about the fight against graft and corruption.

Why not blame ourselves for tolerating this kind of a corrupt system? We know that political leaders may be pocketing people's money either for their own personal consumption, or for their ambition to stay on their power and go for higher positions. We also know that there are no permanent jobs if you are not friends by a mayor, a congressman, and a governor. Why not abolish this kind of sick system as this trend remains today?

You know why? If we let this trend happen, government employees are no longer acting for the people, but for their bosses who are elected officials. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. 

But even these days, I still hope good things will occur in the future and many people should wake up from the reality -- to fight for their rights and voice out their respective views.