Aquino prioritizes loyalty rather than professionalism — Binay’s camp

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 — Following Malacanang’s call for officials related to Binay to resign from their post, Binay’s camp said the administration places “premium on political ties and loyalties rather than competence and professionalism.”

“If you are not an ally of the administration or the Liberal Party, if you are marked as an ally of a political foe, you have no place in the government even if you are good and qualified,” Joey Salgado, head of the Office of the Vice President Media Affairs, said as quoted in a report for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“But if you are an ally of the administration and the LP, you will be protected and your faults are overlooked, even if you participated in anomalous transactions.”

Salgado said that the administration is only adding up the favors they allegedly gave Binay.

“The heads of housing agencies are presidential appointees. Some of the board members have fixed terms of office while some are co-terminus with the President.

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“Vice President Binay made recommendations based on individual qualifications and willingness to serve in government. Yet, the Palace is again adding up the so-called favors given to the Vice President,” Salgado said.

Salgado added that the government must start eliminating the patronage system in the government.

“This discredited system of palakasan and patronage in government should stop,” Salgado said.

He also defended the officials related to the Vice President adding that most of them have accomplished a lot during their service.

“For five years they have labored quietly, instituting reforms in their agencies and fulfilling their mandate. Their accomplishments speak volumes,” he added.