Senate probe vs Binay continues

Senate President Franklin Drilon. Photo courtesy of Drilon’s official Facebook page.

MANILA — The Senate inquiry on the alleged corruption charges raised against Vice President Jejomar Binay will push through despite his earlier request for it to be stopped.

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday said that President Aquino spoke to him about Binay’s request to stop the ongoing senate inquiry.

He also confirmed previous reports that the President turned down Binay’s request.

Drilon added that he told the President that no one, not even the President can dictate what the senate should do.

“Well, the President can’t also dictate to the Senate when to start or stop a hearing,” he said.

 “I told him, ‘Sir, you were part of the Senate before. You know nobody can dictate to the senators what to do, especially when the matter of when to start and to stop an investigation is addressed to the chair and members of a committee. Not even the Senate President can tell them to stop,” Drilon told reporters.

Despite the Vice President’s request, the senators will continue its probe on the alleged irregularities in the Makati City Hall Building II and the Binay’s supposedly ill-gotten wealth.

“I’ve been the chair of so many committees; I have not received any request to stop an investigation,” he said.