Senators Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano Clash during Senate Hearing
NANCY BINAY – The Senator walked out during a Senate committee hearing after a heated exchange with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
A few weeks ago, Sen. Migz Zubiri resigned from being the Senate President. His decision reportedly came after he allegedly learned that 13 senators are voting to replace him. The former Senate President took pride in saying he gave his best during his leadership stint. He was replaced by Senate President Chiz Escudero.
One of the very first issues that Escudero wants to thoroughly check is the cost of the construction of the Senate Building. He ordered for a review of the multi-billion amount allotted for the construction cost of the building.
Following the review order of the Senate President, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, the new chairperson of the Accounts committee, scrutinized the expenses for the construction during a Senate hearing.
However, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, during a Senate hearing, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano had a heated exchange of statements with Sen. Nancy Binay. This led to the female lawmaker walking out during the Senate committee hearing.
Earlier, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said sorry after Cayetano questioned his claim that the construction project’s cost has not reached Php 23 billion. Binay questioned how the amount was arrived at citing that it was not stated in the documents of the DPWH.
“So tama po na on your documentation, there’s no such thing as P23-B from DPWH. So I think, USec Sadain, hindi niyo ho kailangan mag-apologize,” the lady Senator said.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said that the presentation of the DPWH is Php 21.7 billion and if the land cost will be added, it results to Php 23 billion. Based on the article, the exchange was heated when he referred to her claim that an unnamed senator is backstabbing her.
“Hindi po ako ang nanggugulo Mr. Chairman, pag pasok ko pa lang ginugulo mo na ang issue,” Sen. Binay told Sen. Cayetano.
Cayetano responded to Binay saying that the issue is not complicated. He stressed that it is clear that Php 23 billion was from her staff. He claimed that she’s going to the media to damage his reputation.
Sen. Nancy Binay stressed that she did not mention any name as to the senator who is allegedly backstabbing her. Based on the article, the situation led to Binay walking out.
“Ma’am, basta, sasabihin ko sa’yo, Lourdes ang pangalan mo, hindi Marites. Kaya ayusin natin ‘to, nakakahiya na,” Cayetano said.
“Hindi po tayo Marites, Mr. Chairman,” Binay responded before walking out.