MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is
wishing Vice President Jejomar Binay long life and good health for his 72nd
birthday, which he celebrated on Monday.
“Happy birthday to the Vice President.
We wish that you enjoy your birthday, your special day. [We are wishing you]
longer life and good health,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said when asked for Malacañang’s birthday wish for Binay, who is also a member
of the cabinet.
When asked to react to Binay’s wish for
an end to a campaign to smear his reputation, Valte said the question should be
posed to those whom he thinks is behind the propaganda against him.
“I really can’t say much about it owing
to the fact that, we have said this time and again, that we have nothing to do
with what is happening and we have more than enough in our plate to engage in
extraneous activity,” Valte said.
Despite the differences between Binay
and some administration allies, Malacañang believes that President Aquino and
the Vice President can still work “when they need to.”
“The president has already said what he
has to say on the matter. From what I remember, the Vice President attended the
last cabinet meeting on (typhoon) ‘Yolanda.” It was as expected. They work when
they need to,” Valte said.
Earlier, the President said Binay is
free to leave the Cabinet if he is no longer satisfied with the way things are
being run.
Aquino made the statement after Binay
criticized the administration’s way of handling the looming power crisis,
criminality, and the Metro Manila traffic congestion.
Binay, who serves as chairman of the
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and presidential adviser on
overseas Filipino workers, said he continues to respect the President and vowed
to remain a “team player.”
Binay, who has declared his intention
to run for President in 2016, has been tagged in allegedly overpriced projects
like the Makati City Hall building and Makati Science High School Building.
Political rivals also claimed that the
Binay family owns a farm estate in Rosario, Batangas.
Binay has maintained that he never
stole public funds and dismissed the allegations as black propaganda.
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