Senator Koko Pimentel, Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee (SBRS) who is investigating the alleged plunder cases against Vice President Jejomar Binay, posted on June 30 in his Facebook account scanned copies of his reply to the Vice President’s “Magpakalalaki ka” letter to him last week.
The Vice President is in hot seat for several weeks now as the SBRS is investigating alleged irregularities committed by VP Binay.
Below is a transcript and scanned copy of VP Jejomar Binay’s “Magpakalalaki ka” letter to Sen. Koko Pimentel last week, and after that is Senator’s response.
Dear Senator Pimentel:
I read in the papers that you have requested an audit of the different shelter agencies under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) which I headed.
Obviously, your statement is but part of the demolition by perception employed by you and your Senate cohorts for the last ten months. I hope this is not a bluff. I dare you: Magpakalalaki ka. I expect nothing less than a continuation of your demolition campaign against me.
Very truly yours,
JEJOMAR C. BINAY
And here is a transcript and scanned copies of Sen. Pimentel’s response to VP Binay.
Dear Vice President Binay,
Greetings! I hope this letter finds you in good health – physically, mentally, as well as spiritually.
Allow me to respond to your letter dated June 24, 2015.
Attached is my letter to the Chairman of the Commission on Audit asking for an expedited performance and financial audit of all the shelter agencies for the period of time when you were the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).
However, let me assure you that my call for an audit of the different shelter agencies is not part of and not meant to be a demolition campaign against you. Have we forgotten that “Public Office is a Public Trust”?
As HUDCC Chair, you have issued a “milestone report”. The people have a right to know the accuracy of the contents of your report.
At this point in time, no one knows what the results of the audit will be. Should this turn out to be positive, then you can even use this as propaganda in your campaign for the Presidency in 2016. But if there should be serious negative findings, then you have additional issues that you need to explain to the people.
We were together in one political party for close to thirty (30) years. I would never be a party to a demolition campaign against you.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee investigation is not a demolition campaign against you. First, the allegations against you are not found in an unsigned white paper. They are found in formal Proposed Senate Resolutions (PSR Nos. 826 and 1114) where the author is clearly indicated. Second, the referral of the matter by the plenary to the Blue Ribbon Committee and the formation of the Subcommittee are well documented. Third, the proceedings have been widely covered by media, not upon the invitation of the Subcommittee, but upon the media outlets’ own initiative. Last, but certainly not the least, the allegations that the construction cost of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II is overpriced has been proven. The revelation of the truth is not demolition! Attached is a copy of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee Partial Report on the Makati City Hall Parking Building II for your perusal.
Unfortunately, you have chosen not to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee investigating the allegations against you.
Binasa ko po ang liham ninyo kay Senador Teofisto L. Guingona III, ang Chairman ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, na may petsa ika-6 ng Nobyembre 2014. Nakasulat doon ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw ninyong magpakita sa aming mga pagdinig: kayo ay takot na takot na mabastos. Bakit naman po kayo mababastos sa hearing? Hindi ko naman ito papayagan bilang Chairman ng Subcommittee.
Dahil sa sobrang takot ninyo na mabastos sa hearing ay hinayaan nalang ninyo ang pag-aakusa sa inyo ng krimen na kasing bigat ng pandarambong (“Plunder”). Logical ba iyon? Dahil lamang sa sobrang takot na mabastos?
Pareho po naman tayong abogado, at alam natin na ang takot sa imbestigasyon ay iyun lamang may tinatago.
I have also heard and read about your commitment to answer the allegations against you in the “proper forum”. Hence, imagine any extreme disappointment when I learned that even in the proceedings before the Ombudsman you refused to participate, (wrongfully) citing the reason that the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate you because you are, as the Vice President, an impeachable official. After learning this, I could therefore not help but wonder if you ran for Vice President in 2010 out of a sincere desire to render public service or out of the sinister motive to hide behind the (again mistaken) notion that the Vice President enjoys immunity from suit.
As someone who campaigned and voted for you as Vice President in 2010, I feel I got fooled by your catchy slogan “Kay Binay Gaganda Ang Buhay”, because what has been revealed in the Senate hearings is that “Si Binay Gumanda Ang Buhay”!
Now therefore, as the Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee on Proposed Senate Resolutions Nos. 826 and 1114, I am again inviting you to attend the next Subcommittee hearing scheduled on July 7, 2015 at 1p.m. at the Senate Session Hall. This may be your final chance to address point-by-point all the issues and allegations hurled against you in the course of hearings.
I most respectfully suggest that you attend, because only the truth can set you free.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL III
