STATEMENT from the camp of Vice President Binay emailed to the media. YOU BE THE JUDGE. (Statement of Vice Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Martin Subido) 1. At the onset, we would like to reiterate that it is very easy to accuse someone of a wrongdoing. This is why it is enshrined in our Constitution that a person is presumed innocent until his guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt. Also, rules are clearly established to protect parties from bare, self-serving and even perjured statements. These are the basic foundations of all democratic and civilized societies. 2. It is, therefore, regrettable that what is happening now in the inquiry being conducted by the Senate Sub-Committee is that the presumption of innocence has been disregarded and the opposite rule has been adopted. Apparently, the rule being adopted by the Senate Sub-Committee is that WE ACCUSE YOU, PROVE TO US YOU ARE INNOCENT. This is truly unfair and a brazen violation of the rights of the persons appearing in or affected by the inquiry. 3. With respect to the property in Rosario, Batangas, allow us to set the record straight based on documents that span for nearly three (3) decades and not bare allegations. 4. From 1994 to 2010, the Vice President operated a piggery business in Rosario, Batangas. This piggery business was a sole proprietorship duly reported in his SALNs and in his ITRs. 5. The Vice President did not own any land where his piggery business was operated. Rather, he was a lessee of around 9 hectares of land, with the improvements he introduced for the piggery business duly reported as “Leasehold Improvements”. 6. In June 2010, the Vice President sold the piggery business to Agrifortuna, Inc., a company owned by Laureano Gregorio. Agrifortuna is engaged in hog breeding and hog nursery also in the area where the Vice President operated his business. 7. The Vice President and his wife were the incorporators of Agrifortuna for a total paid up capital of only P50,000. Their interest in the company was duly reflected in the SALN. 8. In 1995, or almost 20 years ago, the Vice President and his wife sold their interest in Agrifortuna to Laureano Gregorio who likewise subscribed to additional capital that would allow him to own 60% of the company. These are reflected in the filings of Agrifortuna with the SEC. 9. In 2008, Laureano Gregorio made additional investments in Agrifortuna that gave him 97% ownership of the company. Again, this is supported by the filings of the company with the SEC. 10. The house, swimming pool and garden mentioned in reports are not owned by the Vice President. They were owned by Laureano Gregorio. 11. In 2013, Laureano Gregorio entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corporation for the acquisition of all the rights of Laureano Gregorio over the 145 hectare property (not 350 hectares). This was also duly disclosed to the PSE and the investing public in October 2013 and July 2014. 12. At present, Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corporation is the absolute owner of the improvements and facilities mentioned in today’s inquiry. In fact, Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corporation has likewise introduced new improvements such as an asparagus farm, greenhouses for high value crops, hotel, all in line with its vision to create an agri-tourism park. 13. The aerial shot of the farm in today’s banner headline of the Inquirer is the same aerial shot that was published by the Inquirer in its September 28, 2014 issue when it featured the Sunchamp Farm.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:42:15 +0000
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