Aquino on Binay: We understand each other; we’re open to coalitions

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday indicated that all was well between him and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay even after the latter formed a political coalition separate from the ruling Liberal Party (LP) that the Chief Executive chairs.

Mr. Aquino said the LP was open to forging coalitions with other parties that share its goals for the country.

The President did not rule out a coalition with Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance when asked if it was possible to have a common slate with the group of the Vice President, a longtime friend of the Aquino family.

“I think there will always be intrigues. But we get to talk regularly and we understand each other,” he said about efforts to drive a wedge between him and Binay.

‘We’ve been through a lot’

“We’ve already been through a lot together. We understand each other as regards obligations and what each needs to do toward his goal,” he added in an interview after the Centro Escolar University conferred on him an honorary doctorate in laws.

Asked whether it was possible to have a common slate with Binay in 2013, Mr. Aquino said: “Well, we haven’t spoken about that especially with the other members of our alliance that has yet to be formalized.”

“It is easier to a large degree to reach an understanding when it comes to higher positions such as those of senator than when you go to the lower posts, isn’t it? The lower it is, the more aspirants there are and the harder to get a consensus,” he added.

On inviting other parties to be part of the LP coalition, the President said, “Even before, we had allies in [the House] and in the Senate who were members of other parties and who had similar views on where we needed to bring our country.”

“So why would we stop next year when there’s an election and invite those who have the same views to promote the same advocacy?” he said.

Originally posted at 07:28 pm | Wednesday, April 11,  2012