Palace: Nothing wrong with Aquino relaying Binay’s plea to Senate

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has no intention to intervene in the ongoing Senate investigation on the alleged corruption allegations hurled against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Wednesday that Aquino did not violate any law when he relayed the request of Binay to Senate President Franklin Drilon to stop the Senate probe against the Vice President.

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“Is there anything in the Constitution that says that the two leaders cannot speak? Nor is there anything in the Constitution that specifically says that they cannot discuss matters involving other public officials?” Valte said

The Palace official said Aquino only relayed Binay’s request to Drilon.

“The President did not request anything. A message was conveyed…let’s draw the distinction between pressure, asking to do something and being merely a conduit to relay a message,” she said.

“We do not see anything improper about the president conveying the message,” she added.

On Monday, Drilon revealed that Aquino has relayed to the Senate Binay’s request to stop the investigation into the graft and corruption allegations against the Vice President.

Aquino confirmed this but maintained that he only relayed Binay’s request.

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