2 LP solons doubt Binay is party’s pick for 2016
MANILA, Philippines— Two Liberal Party stalwarts in the House of Representatives downplayed rumors that Vice President Jejomar Binay will run as guest candidate of the ruling party in the upcoming 2016 presidential polls.
In a statement on Tuesday, Caloocan city representative Edgar Erice said he doubts that Binay would continue the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption platform.
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 that the Liberal Party and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) could coalesce.
“It seems that the Vice President ‘s sense of hearing is a little impaired when he claimed that he heard that he is being eyed as LP guest candidate for president in 2016,” said Erice, who had criticized Binay’s partymates in the House, among them UNA Secretary General Toby Tiangco, as being against the Aquino administration.
“Malaki ang duda ng lahat na maipagpapatuloy niya ang Tuwid na Daan (I doubt that he would continue the president’s ‘straight path’ platform),” Erice said..
Caloocan city representative Edgar Erice. PHOTO from congress.gov.ph
“Laging namamangka sa dalawang ilog at hindi mo malaman ang tunay na kulay (He has always been a two-timer who doesn’t want to show his true colors), ” Erice said of Binay, who he accused of questioning Aquino’s budget reform program.
Erice even went on to call Binay as “corrupt,” citing the plunder complaint lodged against Binay before the Ombudsman over the supposedly overpriced parking building in Makati by more than P1.314 billion
“One thing is definite: The Liberal Party will not field a presidential candidate who is corrupt. We have to ensure that President Aquino’s successor in 2016 will continue our journey on the straight path,” said Erice, who is a member of the LP National Directorate that chooses the party’s presidential candidate.
For his part, Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas brushed off as “rumors” Binay’s presidential bid as LP’s guest candidate.
“It is unfortunate that unfounded rumors have been circulated to perhaps boost the political stock of a presidential aspirant and to sow intrigue among the ranks of the Liberal Party and the allies of the administration,” said Trenas, who is the LP’s parliamentary caucus deputy chair for Visayas.
Both Trenas and Erice said they are endorsing Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as the presidential bet of the Liberal Party.
“As far as we are concerned, Secretary Mar Roxas remains as our strongest bet to continue the legacy of good governance of President Aquino,” Trenas said.
“Secretary Roxas has all the qualities needed to pursue the reform under the Aquino administration. He is the best qualified candidate to ensure the continuity of reforms beyond 2016,” Erice said.
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