Cayetano doesn’t faze me, says Binay

President Jejomar Binay (right) has refused to be drawn into a word war with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (left), another probable presidential contender who had said that the economy would suffer if Binay were elected president in 2016. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

TANAUAN, Leyte—Vice President Jejomar Binay has refused to be drawn into a word war with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, another probable presidential contender who had said that the economy would suffer if Binay were elected president in 2016.

“I think I don’t deserve to reply (sic). That’s his style—daldal ng daldal, tira ng tira (always talking, criticizing),” Binay told reporters.

Binay was here on Wednesday to lead in the groundbreaking for the construction of a two-story infirmary.

Both Binay and Cayetano have announced plans to run for president in 2016.

Cayetano was reported saying the country’s economy would plunge if Binay were elected president.

He also challenged the Vice President to issue a statement on the involvement of his close allies, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada, on the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Binay declined to comment on Cayetano’s statement, saying there was a proper time for politics.

As of now, he said, he would rather focus on his mandate.

Binay said he was tasked by President Aquino to run after illegal recruiters preying on overseas Filipino workers and to provide housing loans through the Pag-Ibig Fund.

The Pag-Ibig Fund is under the Housing and Urban Development and Coordinating Council, which Binay chairs.

Binay earlier said Estrada was among those he was considering to be running mate in 2016.

“He is just among those considered. We are also considering Gov. Vilma Santos, [one] from the private sector, a businessman,” he said.

He declined to name the businessman.

During his visit to Tanauan, Binay was accompanied by Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Asked if Gatchalian would be included in his 2016 senatorial slate, Binay replied: “Sinabi ninyo na, di pag-iisipan natin (Since you said it, we will think about it).”

During the visit to the municipality, one of the towns devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” a member of Gatchalian’s staff was seen distributing leaflets bearing the congressman’s name and photograph.

During the 2013 elections, Gatchalian announced plans to run for senator but eventually dropped out of the race due to poor ratings.

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