MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News Service) — President Aquino on Monday said Vice-President Jejomar Binay is free to leave his administration if he wants to.
Aquino made a swipe at the criticisms earlier aired by Binay particularly in his previous speeches criticizing the Aquino administration. Binay had earlier slammed the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and called as “unfair” the treatment being given to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The President said that instead of merely criticizing the administration, Binay has the obligation to “share” what he thinks are solutions to the government’s problems as he is a member of the cabinet and is part of the current administration.
“Kung palagay niya meron kaming kulang na ginagawa, miyembro siya ng Gabinete, e di abisuhan niya kami, kung hindi man mag-advise, paano natin i-improve ‘yung sistema. At hindi choice iyon, obligasyon niya, miyembro siya ng Gabinete,” President Aquino said during an interview following the inauguration of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines’ expanded plant in Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna.
“Kung palagay naman niyang mali ang direksyon namin e di siyempre malaya rin siyang hindi na sumama sa aming mga kilusan. Pero at the minimum, as Vice President of the land, meron siyang mga criticisms, siguro kailangan, para constructive, meron ring solutions,” he added.
The Chief Executive noted that he was only able to read the first two paragraphs of the media report where Vice President Binay supposedly criticized the administration.
He said the Vice President has the right to express himself and act accordingly.
“May kalayaan ang lahat na kumilos basta nasa ayon – umaayon sa batas sa kung ano ang palagay nilang tamang dapat gagawin,” he said.
“Pero ulitin ko lang, kung meron kang palagay na pagkukulang ng gobyerno, miyembro ka ng gobyerno, pangalawa kang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, may obligasyon ka na ibahagi ang kaalaman mo para magkaroon ng mas hustong solusyon kung palagay mo meron kang mas magagawa,” said the President.
The Vice President is the subject of a senate probe, which is investigating alleged corruption charges against him during his time as mayor of Makati.
He also faces plunder charges before the office of the Ombudsman. Binay has denied all accusations.
The Binay camp has also named some of the President’s closest advisers as those behind the “political” campaign against him. (Eagle News Service with a report from PND)
