Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said Vice President Jejomar Binay should step down from his position amid allegations by his party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) against the Liberal Party (LP).
In an emotional and angry privilege speech on Tuesday, Erice said Binay should “show his true colors” instead of trying to show he is a loyal Cabinet official of Aquino while being an opposition official.
Erice is a Liberal Party colleague of President Benigno Aquino III.
“Panahon na upang ilabas ni Vice President Binay ang kanyang tunay na kulay at huwag na mamangka sa dalawang ilog. Kakampi ba siya ng administrasyon o pinuno ba siya ng oposisyon?” Erice said.
If Binay chooses to be a member of the opposition, Binay should step down from his Cabinet position, Erice said.
“Dapat ay panindigan niya ito at agad na siyang magbitiw sa Gabinete, upang araw-araw niyang mabanatan niya ang mga nakikita niyang mali sa administrasyong Aquino at ng Liberal Party,” Erice said.
“The time has come for the Liberal Party to defend itself from the two faced attacks of Vice President Binay and his UNA party mates. It is time to expose vice president Binay for what he truly is,” he added.
Erice castigated Binay’s UNA for claiming the black propaganda against Binay that masqueraded as a report came from the LP. Binay is a presidential contender in 2016.
The vice president had said their party is not dragging President Aquino in the supposed black propaganda against Binay.
The supposed “white paper” report alleged that Makati Rep. Abigail Binay used her Priority Development Assistance Funds allocation from 2007 to 2009 for “pro-Binay rallies” and “hakot crowds.”
Erice denied that the LP is behind the smear campaign. He added that what Binay should do is to explain their side on the allegations instead of blaming the LP.
Erice said UNA Secretary General and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, as well as Senator Nancy Binay, alleged that the source of the “demolition job” is the LP.
“What the Binays must do is to explain whether there is truth to the allegations stated in the white paper. As public officials, they are duty bound to answer valid issues and be transparent,” Erice said.
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