Philippine mayor arrested, escorted to graft hearing

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The mayor of the Philippines' main financial district was arrested Thursday for contempt and escorted to a Senate hearing to answer allegations of corruption after he repeatedly snubbed the legislature.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. was picked up by Senate security personnel on orders of lawmakers investigating allegedly anomalous contracts in the city. Binay Jr. succeeded his father Jejomar Binay as mayor of the country's wealthiest city after the latter was elected vice president in 2010.

He was detained at the office of the Senate sergeant-at-arms then escorted to a sub-committee hearing amid shouts by his supporters. He refused to answer questions, saying his lawyers have advised him not to attend because they were questioning the Senate's jurisdiction.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the sub-committee, took note of Binay's position and allowed him to leave more three hours after his arrest.

The Binays have emerged as a powerful political dynasty and the father has been mentioned as a possible presidential contender in 2016. They have been dogged by criticism of nepotism and alleged corruption, which they deny.

"Let me be clear, we are not fighting with the Senate as an institution," Mayor Binay told the commitee. "What we are saying is we also have rights which need to be heard."

Pimentel insisted that his sub-committee has jurisdiction.

The Binays also face plunder charges before the anti-graft prosecutor for the same allegedly overpriced projects.

Binay later complained at a news conference that the Senate refused to send them the questions that would be asked during the hearings