Aquino reply on Binay criticism ‘reasonable,’ says Malacañang
Malacañang on Tuesday said there was nothing wrong with President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to respond to criticisms hurled against him, some coming from Vice President Jejomar Binay, through his State of the Nation Address (Sona).
“May katuwiran ang pagpapaliwanag ng Pangulo hinggil sa pagpapalawak ng benepisyo ng PhilHealth taliwas sa batikos ng VP hinggil sa umano’y kakulangan ng atensyon sa kalusugan (The President’s explanation on the expansion of PhilHealth benefits, contrary to the criticism of the Vice President on the lack of attention on the health sector, is reasonable),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told media.
“May katuwiran ang pagtugon sa maling paratang hinggil sa umano’y pagiging ‘manhid’ o ‘palpak’ ang pamahalaan (It is reasonable to reply to false accusations about the government being insensitive and inept).”
READ: 2-hour Sona on Aquino gains strewn with swipes at Binay
During his last Sona on Monday, Aquino said, “For the poorest 40 percent of the population, treatment in public hospitals is free. This is the care that some have called inefficient and uncaring. The only thing I have to say to them, as Aiza Seguerra said back in the day: ‘I thank you, bow.’”
Aquino was alluding to Binay’s earlier speech, after he resigned as a member of the Cabinet, where he accused the administration of being insensitive and inefficient.
READ: Binay: Aquino government ‘palpak’
Aquino hit Binay and the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) at least thrice during his Sona—on the insensitive remark, on the UNA slogan “Gaganda ang Buhay” and the Vice President’s proposal to allow the reelection of presidents.
READ: Aquino on Binay’s ‘Gaganda ang Buhay’ slogan: ‘E di wow’ | Aquino pushes antidynasty bill, hits ‘one to sawa’ proposal
However, during the Palace press briefing, Coloma refused to give a “categorical answer” or statement on the people alluded to by the President.
He said the public had their own opinion about the information shared by the President during his Sona.
Asked about Binay’s plan to give his own Sona, Coloma said it was up to the people to decide who was giving the true Sona.
“In the end, the people will decide on that,” he said.
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