Binay’s camp believes that Binay, Aquino are still friends

President Benigno S. Aquino receives from Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. the dividend check amounting to P2.5-billion to be remitted to the National Treasury during the 2014 Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Dividends Day at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday(June 09). A total of 49 agencies remitted P32.31-billion to the National Treasury, surpassing the collections made last year, with nine GOCCs belonging to the elite circle, the so-called “Billionaire’s Club”, for having remitted at least P1-billion to the government. Also in photo is Vice President Jejomar Binay. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — Despite Vice President Jejomar Binay’s criticisms against the Aquino administration, Binay’s camp still believes that the both are still friends, though separated by their varying opinions.

“What’s important is that they are still friends and while they may have different opinions, the Vice President gives importance to their relationship,” Mon Ilagan, spokesperson for Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party said as quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

Following his resignation, Binay slammed the Aquino administration calling it “madhid and palpak” (insensitive and a failure).

Responding to this, Aquino said that he could not understand why Binay have the courage to speak ill against his administration after the he had given him the opportunity not to become a “spare tire.”

“Hinalal siya ng taumbayan, binigyan ko (s’ya) ng lahat ng pagkakataon para hindi s’ya maging spare tire,” Aquino said during the Livestock expo and convention in Manila.

(He was elected by the people, I gave him all the opportunities not to become a spare tire)

“Ipinagkaloob natin sa kanya ‘yung pagkakataon na manaliti ‘yung kanyang popularity ratings 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.

(We gave him the chance to maintain his popularity ratings though he wasn’t an ally  during the elections, and even when in 2013 he was with another group. We didn’t stop him from being recognized for his work.)

Ilagan said that Binay was thankful for the opportunity given to him by the President adding that he “really wanted to help the poor and [the] overseas Filipino workers.”

Aquino appointed Binay as the head of the National Housing Authority and he also granted Binay’s request to appoint him the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs.