Abad backtracks, says he did not question Binay position

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad on Wednesday said he did not question Vice President Jejomar Binay’s position against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“It was the PDI banner that may have insinuated it. Not me,” Abad said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“I, in fact, said that it’s hard to characterize the UNA (United Nationalists Alliance) lineup as opposition because many of the personalities there are in fact cooperating with the Aquino administration,” added Abad, a senior adviser to President Benigno Aquino III and his campaign manager in the 2010 presidential election.

Abad said the only exceptions that he said were former Senator Ernesto Maceda and Zambales Representative Milagros Magsaysay, “who have been openly and consistently criticizing (President Aquino).”

“As to our attitude toward coalitions, the Aquino administration was in fact brought to power via a broad coalition of parties and organizations and it continues to govern via a broad coalition,” Abad said.

“In fact, that’s why Vice President Binay is in the Cabinet; because the PDP-Laban (Binay’s party) is in coalition with the LP (Liberal Party),” he added.

The LP not only welcomes coalitions but also governs through it, Abad said. “Now, looking forward to 2013. Again, coalition politics will continue to be the order of the day,” he said.

“But coalitions can be tactical or temporary alliances or strategic based on a common set of principles and a platform of government,” he added.