Demolition job? No time for it–Palace

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.: No time for politics INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Only 743 days are remaining for the Aquino administration and it will not waste its time on “demolition jobs” against the opposition, according to Malacañang.

“For the most important number is 743 because there are 743 days remaining to fulfill [the administration’s] promise to Juan and Juana de la Cruz, to fulfill what we have envisioned [under] the social contract entered into by President Aquino with the people. This is what we are giving attention to,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press conference last week.

“It is such a waste of time if we would still engage in [a] demolition [job] while it is very clear that [the administration’s] current priorities are construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation,” he added.

Coloma was responding to allegations that Malacañang was behind a “demolition job” against opposition stalwarts, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is expected to challenge the ruling party’s anointed one in the 2016 presidential elections.

Binay and opposition Sen. Ramon Revilla, Jr. have already declared their intention to seek the presidency.

Revilla and Binay’s daughter, Makati Rep. Abigail Binay, had claimed that Malacañang was behind allegations that they had misused their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). A white paper claiming Representative Binay’s involvement circulated two weeks ago.

Revilla, along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada, has been charged with plunder and graft stemming from the supposed misuse of the PDAF, also known as pork barrel.