Coloma denies arranging meeting between Aquino and Binay
Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Contrary to the Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claims, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. on Friday said he did not arrange the meeting of Vice President Jejomar Binay with President Benigno Aquino III in an alleged attempt to stop the investigation of the Department of Justice against him.
Reacting to a report on Trillanes’ interview with radio station DWIZ, Coloma said in a statement to the media that he was not involved in any way with the President’s meeting with Binay last Tuesday night.
“I would like to state that I have no involvement in the meeting between the President and the Vice President on October 14. I did not prepare or issue any press release regarding the meeting,” Coloma said.
Trillanes earlier claimed, quoting an unnamed source, that Binay had tried asking Aquino to influence Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to stop the probe on his alleged unexplained wealth.
De Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to begin probing the alleged corruption in Makati City and other controversies involving Binay, his family and his associates.
Binay has been accused of receiving kickbacks when he was the mayor of Makati City and using dummies to hide his properties. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Trillanes said Coloma arranged the meeting for Binay as he belonged to the “Noybi” group.
He also alleged the Cabinet secretary of issuing a “press release” purportedly of the said meeting.
Supporters of the Aquino-Binay tandem coined “Noybi” during the 2010 elections even if the two ran with other aspirants. Aquino’s vice presidential bet was Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II while Binay’s running mate was Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
“On the days after the meeting, I simply answered questions from Malacañang reporters pertaining to the meeting as part of my official duties,” Coloma said.
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