Palace on Binay’s ‘LP guest candidate’ remark: Let’s work first

Vice President Jejomar Binay and President Benigno Aquino III FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet are focused on serving the country instead of planning for the 2016 elections, Malacañang said on Tuesday amid Vice President Jejomar Binay’s statement that the Liberal Party may adopt him as guest candidate.

Media reports said Binay, who is eyeing the presidential post, floated the idea that he could become a guest candidate of the ruling party or the Liberal Party and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) could coalesce.

But Malacañang was quick to shrug off talk of the upcoming elections.

“Pagpapatupad ng mga prayoridad na programang pangkabuhayan at pagsulong at pag-unlad ng bansa ang focus ng Pangulo at Gabinete, at hindi ang pulitika o halalan (The President and his Cabinet are focused on implementing priority programs on livelihood and development not politics or elections),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

Binay, who is an opposition leader, has been saying that he has a good relationship with the President despite other people allegedly pitting them against each other.

Former president and now Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada said he would no longer run for president because he supports Binay, who he deemed as unbeatable. The last Pulse Asia survey showed Binay had a good lead over the other presidential aspirants.

Estrada said he would only consider becoming a standard bearer of UNA if Binay becomes an administration candidate.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has refused to divulge who Aquino’s pick was. It said the President will give his announcement at the right time.

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