Binay resigns from Aquino Cabinet being the ‘odd man out’

Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay (Photo from Binay’s official Facebook page)

MANILA – Vice President Jejomar Binay sent a resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III, quitting his position as the chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the presidential adviser on OFW Affairs.

Binay submitted his resignation Monday afternoon, and is effective immediately.

According to Binay’s spokespersons in the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the Vice President had long wanted to resign as he felt ‘awkward’ being the ‘odd man out’ in Aquino’s Cabinet dominated by members of the Liberal Party (LP).

“He’s really not part of the political party where most, if not practically all of those serving the Cabinet are members. So he seems to be the odd man out. At some point, it really becomes intolerable, especially when the political climate heats up,” UNA interim secretary general JV Bautista said in a report by Rappler.

“It’s untenable in the sense that he is still in the Cabinet and a declared candidate, and the President will be supporting someone else, it’s going to be awkward,” he added.

Binay’s camp also stated that the Vice President was also pressured to resign after criticizing some administration policies and furthermore after being probed on account of several corruption allegations. They clarified, however, that Binay’s resignation was a ‘personal decision.’

Binay’s daughter, Makati Representative Abigail Binay, was the one who personally delivered the letter to Aquino’s office at 3:55pm, Monday, June 22.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. then received the letter in Aquino’s account.

With Binay’s resignation, he now remains as the Vice President but no longer a Cabinet member.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of Binay’s critics, saw the Vice President’s move as a ‘very positive political development.’

“Finally! This is a very positive political development. Now, there is no more inconsistency in the ‘tuwid na daan’ slogan of the P-Noy administration,” Trillanes said.

Binay’s daughter, Senator Nancy Binay, on the other hand, assured the public that his father will continue fulfilling his duties even without the position.

“Makakaasa po kayo na bibigyang halaga at iingatan ng Vice President ang pagtitiwalang ito at susuklian ng tuloy-tuloy na pagsisilbi sa taong bayan,” she said.

(Rest assured that the Vice President will value the trust that is still given to him; and will continue serving the public.)