‘Binay had every right to press charges’

Three days after resigning from the Aquino Cabinet, Vice President Jejomar Binay officially declared himself as head of the opposition in the 2016 national and local elections during a press conference on Wednesday (June 24, 2015) at his office in the Coconut Palace, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, Pasay City. (Avito C. Dalan / PNA)

MANILA — Vice President Jejomar Binay had every right to press charges, according to Amado Valdez, former University of the East law dean.

Valdez made the statement in an interview with reporters following Binay’s filing of a P200-million damage suit against several officials and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In an interview with reporters, Valdez said that Binay had the right to file charges.

“It is an inherent right of every individual to seek redress and damages. Sometimes offense is the best defense,” Valdez told reporters.

He added that it “levels the playing field” between Binay and those accusing him of graft and corruption.

“[The damage suit] will bring the allegations [raised by Binay critics] within the judicial scrutiny according to rules of evidence. What is hearsay will be separated from admissible evidence,” he said.

Binay earlier filed a case against several officials for what he described as a “well organized and orchestrated effort” to destroy his reputation.

“This shameful exercise is prohibited by law, particularly under Articles 19, 20 and 21 (human relations), 32 (constitutional rights), 33 (civil aspect of libel) and 2176 (quasi-delict) of the Civil Code,” Binay said.

Other defendants in the case are Bangko Sentral governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. chairman of AMLC, and the council members: insurance commissioner Emmanuel F. Dooc, SEC chair Teresita J. Herbosa, and AMLC executive director Julia C. Abad, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Caloocan City Rep. Eric Erice, Atty. Renato Bondal, Engr. Mario Hechanova, AMLC officials and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.