Why Palace can’t defend Binay

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang distanced itself from the Senate investigation on Vice President Jejomar Binay’s alleged involvement in the construction of an overpriced building in Makati.

“At the end of the day, it will be up to the Filipino people to make the judgment,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing on Wednesday.

He said they would not comment on the matter but assured the public that the Palace had no hand in the investigation.

“Color may be placed in our statement so we’d rather not comment insofar as the investigation is concerned,” he said.

Asked if Malacañang would defend the Vice President, similar to what had been done with other Cabinet members, Lacierda said it was “an unfair question to ask.”

He explained that the issue at hand involved Binay as Makati City mayor.

“The allegations against the Vice President were during his tenure as mayor. [It is] far from us to comment on something which we were not yet in government,” Lacierda said.

“We are not familiar with the situation there, and we are just as you are, observing the proceedings. So that is not a fair question to ask the official family,” he added.

Amid comparison of Malacañang’s reaction to accusations against Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Binay, Lacierda said, “If you spoke of Butch Abad being a congressman of Batanes, I cannot speak of him being congressman of Batanes at the time, but I can very well speak of him as the Secretary of Budget and Management, as his actions as a national government official.”

Lacierda explained that Binay would also be the best person to defend himself.

On Wednesday, the Vice President denied the allegations and accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of preventing a witness from testifying before the Senate.

Nevertheless, Lacierda said “there is the trust and confidence, insofar as (Binay as) a member of the official family (Cabinet) is concerned.”

In addition to being Vice President, Binay is also the chairman of the National Housing Authority.

Lacierda also said it was “unfair” to ask if Binay would still fit the mold of Aquino’s ideal successor as someone who would be able to continue his reforms.

“I think that’s an unfair question to ask right now because the President hasn’t even made any specific reference to any person,” he said.

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