MANILA – After detaching himself from President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s Cabinet, Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay began criticizing Aquino’s administration, calling it ‘manhid’ (insensitive) and ‘palpak’ (inefficient).
Days after he resigned as the chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Presidential Adviser on OFW Affairs, Binay gave a television address clarifying issues hurled against him, and announcing that he would not back out from joining next year’s presidential race as he desired for a better government.
“Ito ang aking ipinaglalaban. Ito rin ang hangarin ng ating mga kababayan: isang pamahalaang kabaliktaran ng manhid at palpak na pamahalaan ngayon,” Binay said. (This is what I’m fighting for. This is also what our countrymen desire: a government different from the insensitive and inefficient government now.)
“Ngayon ang bagong simula ng laban sa kahirapan… Sa mga kalaban ko sa pulitika, sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon: kung ang layunin ninyo ay paatrasin ako sa pagtakbo bilang pangulo sa 2016, nagkakamali kayo. Hindi ako umaatras sa laban,” he added.
(Today is the new start of our fight against poverty… To my opponents in politics, I’m telling you now: if your goal is for me to back out from running for president in 2016, you are wrong. I’m not backing down from the fight.)
After delivering his address, Binay did not entertain reporters’ questions. He, however, concluded by saying that we would now take over the opposition but did not directly mention going against Aquino.
Among those who were at the Coconut Palace, the place where Binay delivered his address, were his family, wife Dr.Elenita and children Senator Nancy, Makati City Representative Abigail, and Makati City Mayor Junjun. Also present were his political allies Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco, Buhay Representative Lito Atienza and former House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, among other supporters.
Read Binay’s full speech here: VP Binay’s official statement on his resignation from Aquino cabinet