Alan Peter Cayetano dares Binay: Open your bank accounts

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday dared Vice President Jejomar Binay to open his bank accounts after Binay said that his and his family are open to lifestyle checks "anytime."

Earlier in the day, the Vice President bared his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and income tax return (ITR) documents to show that "taxes were paid, properties were accounted for, everything is on paper, on record," said Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, who is Binay's spokesperson on political affairs.

Although putting forward his SALN was a "starting point," Cayetano was unconvinced.

The senator said that if Binay is truly willing to undergo a lifestyle check, he should have also handed an authorization to open his bank accounts, travel records, and land titles among others.

"Maganda naman ang development na magiging accountable ang vice president sa pagpapahayag niya na siya at ang buong pamilya niya na pahayag sa lifestyle check," Cayetano said.

The senator added that former Chief Justice Renato Corona also passed the lifestyle check, and that it was only when the Senate scrutinized his documents and bank accounts was it revealed that Corona had failed to disclose other assets.

"Kaya ang tanong po natin kay VP, pakitang tao lang ba 'yan o totohanan? Kasi kung totohanan, hihingin naming ilabas 'yung bank accounts, mga titulo ng mga bahay ng mga anak, at 'yung kanilang pagtatravel abroad. Any public official, including kami, dapat handa sa ganito anytime," Cayetano explained.

The senator, likewise, asked if the vice president will allow other parties to conduct the lifestyle check.

"[Baka] 'pag magtatanong kakampi niya, payag siya sa lifestyle check pero kapag magtatanong ay mabigat, atras na naman siya," he said.

Documents presented by Binay showed that his net worth rose from P2.5 million in 1988, when he was first elected as Mayor of Makati City, to more than P60 million in 2013, three years into his vice presidency. — BM, GMA News