Binay opts to ‘prioritize work over politics’

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Facebook photo)

MANILA – Instead of appearing at the Senate panel investigation on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II, Vice President Jejomar Binay chose to spend time with the poor in Tondo, Manila.

“You can see me working. That’s why I’m here,” he said.

Binay was involved in the controversy following the testimonies of his former political allies linking him in the alleged overpricing of the Makati building.

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Binay’s speaker, however told reporters that Binay decided to ignore the issue and focus on “prioritizing work over politics.”

While in Tondo, Binay could not avoid cracking jokes and lamenting about the corruption issues raised against him and his family.

Binay sent a letter declining the Senate blue ribbon committee’s invitation to attend the resumed hearings.

Instead of going to the hearing, Binay went to Balut, Tondo to turn over the housing units to the relocated residents of Smoky Mountain.

Binay, who heads the National Housing Authority, spoke to the resident-beneficiaries of the Paradise Heights housing project and told them that he and his family had been accused of corruption.

“Minsan napag-isip isip tayo. Tama ba tayo ay andito? … Ah ewan (Sometimes I reflect on whether it is right for me to be here …. I don’t know),” Binay said.

“These events may have inflicted great personal injustice on me and my family, but this will not divert me from the work that our citizens expect from their Vice President,” Binay added.