Cayetano: Binay is in ‘panic mode’

Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Photo courtesy of Cayetano’s Facebook page.

MANILA – By accusing the ‘rich’ of waging war against a “poor man” like himself, Vice President Jejomar Binay is now in a “panic mode,” according to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

“He’s in a panic mode. Like someone gasping for breath… he’s trying to read all the political books and all the strategies used by other politicians, and applying them to himself, although they do not apply,” Cayetano told reporters on Monday.

The statement was made following Binay’s accusations in a radio interview describing what he termed as his opponents plot to remove him from office as a political war waged by the rich against the poor.

Cayetano, however, ironically said that contrary to his claims, the Vice President still attends parties with the rich, regarding them as among his financial backers.

Binay has been denying allegations of corruption and ill-gotten wealth raised against him through a senate inquiry.

Binay was accused of receiving kickbacks from infrastructure deals during his term as the Makati City Mayor.

He was also accused of owning a P1.

2 billion high-end farm in Batangas province, a property which he is allegedly hiding through his dummy owners.

Not convinced of Binay’s statements, Cayetano said that Binay’s move is part of the “drama,” similar to what President Joseph Estrada did when accused of corruption in 2000.

“He’s trying to do an Erap,” the senator said.

Cayetano added that the Binay’s only difference with former President and now Manila Mayor Estrada, was that Estrada’s pronouncement was on the record.

“Whether you believe President Erap’s statement or not, that’s on the record. As for Vice President Binay, he’s known to party officially or unofficially with the richest of the rich of the country,” he said.