Binay ‘has right to snub Senate investigation’

The Senate blue ribbon committee cannot force Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend its inquiry into the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2, according to a prominent lawyer.

Romulo Macalintal said in a press statement that under the doctrine of separation of powers, Congress “cannot subpoena or compel the President to appear before it to answer an investigation conducted by any of its committees. If Congress cannot subpoena the President, then the same should be applied to Vice President Jejomar Binay considering that the Office of the Vice President is regarded as a component of the executive department of the government.”