MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — President Aquino hosted on Friday the Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners, which he described as a gathering of forces of reform.
But Vice-President Jejomar Binay, who was recently accused by his former vice-mayor of receiving kickbacks from the city’s projects, was conspicuously absent in the event.
President Aquino, in his speech, said that those who were invited to attend the meeting – cabinet members, lawmakers and from pro-government civil society groups — were his allies, while those who were not in the event represent those who were against his reform agenda.
“At siyempre po, ang mga kontra sa atin, magtutulak ng sarili nilang kandidato. Sa kanila nga po, na hindi natin kasama ngayon dahil kontra ang prinsipyo nila sa atin, ‘di ba’t natural lang din na kokontra sila sa lahat ng nagawa natin?,” he said.
Aquino said his administration has made great strides in instituting reforms in terms of education, infrastructure, and social welfare, among others.
“Noong tayo’y kinukumbinsing tumakbo, ang mungkahi, umpisahan lang natin ang pagbabago, ayos na. Ngayon, napakalayo na po talaga ng narating natin mula nang magsimula tayo; talaga pong lampas-lampas pa ito sa ating mga unang inasam,” he told his estimated 400 guests, consisting of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups.
The President said he faces the question now of who would continue the reforms the government has put in place.
“Kaya nga po, sa mga nagtatanong kung sino ang magpapatuloy: Baka naman po nagkakamali tayo ng tanong; baka hindi talaga ‘sino’ ang dapat nating hanapin—dahil walang ibang sagot sa tanong na iyan kundi ‘tayong lahat ang magpapatuloy nito,” he said.
Vice-President Binay’s political spokesman admitted that the Vice-President did not receive any invitation for the event.
But Remulla said Binay’s camp interprets this as him not being part of the administration coalition. He insisted that the Vice-President “remains committed” to the President’s reform agenda.
“The dialogue was meant to be an administration party coalition address and the Vice President is not part of the coalition. That is how we interpret him not receiving an invitation,” Remulla said.
“The Vice President remains committed to the reform agenda of the President. He still embraces the President’s agenda. Today’s meeting should not be reflective of their relationship,” he said.
President Aquino’s speech during Friday’s Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners, hit at those who claimed to be pushing his reforms, including his anti-corruption drive, but chose to contradict such reforms.
“Kung sabihin naman nila, sang-ayon sila sa mga ito at pakay din nilang arugain ang ating mga boss, ang magiging tanong ko po sa kanila: Bakit hindi namin kayo nakasama? Kung sang-ayon kayo, bakit pinipili ninyong sumalungat sa aming ipinaglalaban, kaysa sumama na lang kayo’t makiambag sa positibong transpormasyon ng lipunan?
Although Vice-President Binay was not invited, his daughter, Rep. Abby Binay, was present at the Malacanang event upon the invitation of House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr. (With reports from Rowena dela Fuente Deimoy, Eagle News Service)
