Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – As long as their work is not affected, Malacañang won’t meddle in the mud fight between its allies and the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“Hayaan mo na lang magsalita si (Caloocan) Congressman Egay (Edgar Erice) at saka si (Navotas Rep.) Toby Tiangco, iyong mga tagapagsalita ni Bise Presidente,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a televised briefing.
(Let Congressman Edgar Erice and Toby Tiangco, and other spokespersons of the Vice President talk.)
Lacierda pointed out that Erice, Tiangco and other lawmakers would sometimes take a break from trading barbs attacks. As proof that they are doing their jobs, Lacierda said that the two were still working on the proposed 2015 budget.
“As far as we are concerned, as far as if you ask the administration, if you ask the Executive branch, the Executive branch is focused on addressing the concerns of the country,” he added.
He dismissed the wave of mudslinging as “political noise.”
“That’s a matter that is up to them. That’s political noise out there. As far as we are concerned, again, trabaho lang talaga…Ang ingay doon, ‘yung nag-aaway ‘yung ‘Oplan Nognog,’ ‘Oplan Maligno’ but, ano naman ang relevance sa araw-araw na governance ng ating Pangulo?” Lacierda said.
(That’s a matter that is up to them. That’s political noise out there. As far as we are concerned, we are just working. The noise there is the bickering of ‘Oplan Nognog,’ ‘Oplan Maligno’ but what is its relevance to the governance of our President?)
Binay’s camp earlier accused Interior Secretary Mar Roxas of launching “Oplan Stop Nognog 2016” to foil Binay’s presidential bid in the next elections. Erice, a Liberal Party member, meanwhile said “Oplan Maligno” aims to bolster Binay’s candidacy.
Palace, on the other hand, continued to distance itself from the tirades.
“The President is not engaged in anything 2016. In fact, I already issued a statement. He does not have the luxury of engaging in matters 2016. So, as far as the President is concerned, we are focused on addressing the concerns that beset the country today,” Lacierda said.
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