By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, June 25 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday he will answer “point-by-point” the criticisms hurled against his administration by Vice President Jejomar Binay, who resigned from the Cabinet last Monday.
”Well, sasagutin ko at sasagutin ng Gabinete point-by-point lahat itong mga isinumbat niya kahapon,” the President said in a media interview after the opening rites of the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference at the SMS Convention Center in Pasay City.
”Pero palagay ko ‘yung record will support my case na number one, hinalal siya ng taumbayan, ibinigay ko sa kanya ang lahat ng pagkakataon na hindi siya maging spare tire,” he added.
The President deplored how Binay, a family friend, openly attacked his administration after being treated well for the last five years as his Cabinet member.
”At siguro kung tatanungin mo, ano ang pakiramdam ko? Pangkaraniwan naman siguro sa Pilipino, kayo na lumagay sa posisyon ko, paano ko ba siya tinirato ng mali at tapos ito ang isinukli? Kaya thank you na rin sa kanya,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino said he never denied Binay the opportunity to serve the people who voted the latter as vice president in 2010.
”Iyong pinagkasunduan namin, iyung assignment niya na housing, hinirit niyang idagdag ‘yung OFW, at lahat ito ‘yung ipinagkaloob natin sa kanya, ‘yung pagkakataon na manatili ‘yung kanyang popularity ratings,” the President said.
”Bagama’t hindi natin siya kaalyado ‘nung tumakbo sa eleksyon, bagama’t ‘nung 2013 e nandun siya sa kabilang grupo, hindi natin siya parang pinigilan na ‘yung magkaroon naman ng pagkakataon na marecognize ‘yung kanyang trabaho,” he added.
Last Monday, Binay resigned as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipinos Workers Concerns and as Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).
President Aquino said his statement that Binay might not be endorsed by the President in 2016 has prompted the Vice President to step down and attack his government.
”Siguro ganyan talaga ang pulitika sa ating bansa. Baka naman napag-isip niyang hindi siya ang ma-e-endorso natin, so kailangan ipakita niyang hindi niya kailangan ‘yung endorsement o may mas maganda siyang kayang magawa,” the President said.
The President admitted that he was surprised by Binay’s resignation and by the Vice President’s “unexpected” announcement he will lead the opposition.
Binay has repeatedly expressed his intention to run for president, vowing not to back out amid allegations of corruption against him. (PNA)