In Cebu, Binay redefines meaning of opposition: Praise, hit

Vice President Jejomar Binay. FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY—Vice President Jejomar Binay, criticized for deciding to stay in the Cabinet after a tirade against the Aquino administration, is redefining the meaning of opposition.

“Being critical to the administration, you are part of what is called ‘new politics,’” he said at a news conference here.

Binay had criticized what he said was the persecution by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by the government and the kid gloves treatment given to Liberal Party officials involved in the pork barrel scam.

In response, President Aquino had said Binay can leave the Cabinet anytime if the Vice President felt the administration was not on the right path.

But during his news conference here, Binay said he would continue supporting Mr. Aquino and had not thought of quitting the Cabinet.

Binay heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council which was recently appointed as lead agency, together with the National Housing Authority, in a renewed push to build resettlement areas for survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

“The President and Vice President should be working together,” Binay said. “We should respect and support the President,” he said. “In my view, this is the new politics we are talking about in the opposition,” he continued.

Binay, however, said he would also criticize the administration’s failings.

“Praise, join the administration in good projects but criticize it if there are shortcomings,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that because we are in the opposition, we would be faultfinders. That is not right,” he added.