VP camp: Binay a ‘real friend’ of Aquino family

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Vice President Jejomar Binay remains a “real friend” of President Benigno Aquino III and his family, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

“Vice President Binay remains an ally of the President. More importantly, he continues to be a real friend of the Aquino family,” Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, vice presidential spokesperson for political concerns, said in a statement.

“The views he articulated during the forum with lawyers were a product of the experience and wisdom he gained as a life-long human rights advocate and as a lawyer well-versed on the constructs of our legal system,” he added.

Remulla isued the statement amid reports of a looming falling out between Binay and Aquino after the Vice President attacked the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program and   some of his allies.

Speaking at the 5th MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) Accredited National Convention of Public Attorneys at the Manila Hotel Tuesday,  Binay took a swing at how the Aquino administration was allegedly mistreating former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while handling with kid gloves controversial Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima.

Arroyo is detained at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City on plunder charges, while Purisima is being accused of allegedly amassing unexplained wealth.

Binay himself has been accused by an erstwhile ally, former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto  Mercado, of receiving  kickbacks and amassing unexplained wealth while he was the city mayor. But the Vice President has repeatedly denied the allegations.

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