With Binay absent in Palace meeting, Aquino draws line between allies and foes

More than a year before the 2016 polls, President Benigno Aquino III sought to separate his allies from his foes during a Palace event attended on Friday by members of his Cabinet, administration lawmakers and pro-government civil society groups.

In a speech at the “agenda setting dialogue,” Aquino said those present were his partners in reform, while those absent represented forces who were against his programs.

Vice President Jejomar Binay was not invited to the event, although he is part of Aquino’s official family. Binay is a prospective presidential candidate of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in 2016.

“Alam po ninyo, hindi madalas ang mga pangyayaring ganito, na talaga namang nagtitipon ang puwersa ng reporma sa loob ng iisang bulwagan. Para na rin itong reunion: Napakarami sa inyo, matagal nang lumalaban para sa tama at makatwiran,” the President said.

“Ang mga kontra sa atin, magtutulak ng sarili nilang kandidato. Sa kanila nga po, na hindi natin kasama ngayon dahil kontra ang prinsipyo nila sa atin, ‘di ba’t natural lang din na kokontra sila sa lahat ng nagawa natin?” he said.

Aquino, however, said he was not assembling a “tactical alliance,” but was only gathering “like-minded” individuals.

“Lahat po tayo ay binibigkis hindi ng personalidad, hindi ng kulay ng tsaleko sa kampanya, hindi ng slogan—kundi ng prinsipyo. Iisa ang ating paninindigan,” he said.

Binay left out

Binay didn’t receive an invitation to the Palace event, where Aquino called for support for his reform agenda during the remaining months of his term.

This was confirmed by Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco, secretary-general of the opposition coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Binay is UNA’s prospective standard-bearer for the 2016 polls.

While Binay is the leader of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, he is also a member of the Aquino Cabinet as housing czar and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers.

Binay’s spokesman, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, said the Vice President understood Malacañang’s decision to exclude Binay from the event.

“He is not part of the coalition. They (Binay family) understand that it was a political coalition meeting,” Remulla said in a text message.

“But although they aren’t in the same coalition, the Vice President and his family continue to embrace the President’s reform agenda,” Remulla added.

Tiangco, however, pointed out that the Vice President’s daughter, Deputy Majority Leader and Makati Representative Abigail Binay, attended the dialogue.

Binay and son, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, are facing plunder charges in connection with the allegedly overpriced P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building II. They are also the subject of a Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigation on the allegedly padded construction cost.

The Binays have denied any wrongdoing in conducting government affairs in the city. The Vice President is also scheduled to address the public on Monday to answer the allegations against him.

‘Show of force’

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, a member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), described the event as a “show of force.”

Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras meanwhile said that the dialogue was only meant to “refocus” administration allies for the remaining months of Aquino’s term.

Almost all members of Aquino’s Cabinet were seated right in front of the President during his speech. Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, the presumptive standard-bearer of the LP in 2016, was tasked to introduce Aquino.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led Congress’ delegation to the event, which was not limited to LP members.

Other lawmakers whose names are being floated for the presidency in 2016, such as Senator Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, were also present during the event.

In his opening remarks, Belmonte called on his fellow legislators to ensure the success of Aquino’s administration up until its end.

“Ito ay isang pagkakataon para sa ating lahat na makita natin kung ano ang posisyon ng ating bansa within the remaining years at para tayong lahat maintindihan natin, magkaisa tayo, at malutas natin at mag-succeed tayo sa lahat ng ating gagawin,” the House leader said.

Drilon, meanwhile, urged administration allies to ensure no personality “[could] reverse” Aquino’s achievements.

“We will make sure that the next leadership will continue these reforms so that their fruits will be enjoyed by this generation and the generation yet unborn. Thank you very much and a pleasant good morning to all,” the Senate President said.

Still no anointed one

Aquino made no announcement as regards his pick for the 2016 presidential polls.

The President said he trusted that the public would know the candidate who would continue his reforms.

“Tiwala po ako. Maski anong panlilinlang o pagpostura, makikita ng ating mga Boss kung sino ang ampaw at nais silang pagsamantalahan; masusuri nila kung sino ang talagang handa silang ipaglaban,” Aquino said.

Aquino made no specific request to Congress as regards his reform agenda, apart from mentioning his intention to seek emergency powers to avert a possible power crisis next year.

He also gave the audience an update on the administration’s measures to address current issues, particularly those related to port congestion and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)’s glitches.

Attendees were also given the chance to ask questions to the President during the dialogue, but no one did. —NB, GMA News