Palace calls VP Binay’s attacks against Aquino gov’t as ‘unfortunate’

SEVERED TIES: VP Jejomar Binay (left) resigned from President Benigno Aquino III’s cabinet (Photo by Dondi Tawatao / 2010 / Malacanan Palace Facebook page)

MANILA – Malacanang described on Wednesday as “unfortunate” the decision of Vice President Jejomar Binay to commence his presidential bid by attacking the government he served for the last five years.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Vice President Binay has never spoken ill against the governance policies of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

”Still, he has made the unfortunate choice to commence his presidential run with statements that he could have otherwise discussed with the President as a Cabinet member but chose not to,” Lacierda said in a press statement.

Lacierda said the Vice President, in opening the next chapter of his political life, has chosen a path that will define him not only as an official but as a person.

”For our part we note his past service to the Aquino Cabinet,” Lacierda said.

Three days after stepping down as Cabinet member, VP Binay on Wednesday slammed what he called as the “selective justice of the current administration,” criticizing the apparent disparity between the treatment of the opposition versus those allied with the ruling party.

Moreover, the Vice President said while he was being vilified, “those allied with the ruling party who are embroiled in controversies have gone unpunished.

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Binay declared he will not withdraw his plan to run for president amid allegations of corruption hurled against him by his political opponents.

The vice president was formerly the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and presidential adviser on Overseas Filipinos Workers Concerns.

He officially declared himself as head of the opposition in the 2016 elections.