Opposition no longer ‘headless’—analyst on Binay resignation

Political analyst Ramon Casiple. INQUIRER file photo

Political analyst Ramon Casiple. INQUIRER file photo

With the resignation of Vice President Jejomar Binay from the Aquino cabinet and his intense criticism of the administration, the opposition has now found a leader, a political analyst said Thursday.

READ: Binay quits Aquino Cabinet

Professor Ramon Casiple, in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM Thursday, said there was “confusion for quite some time” since Binay joined the Aquino cabinet.

Even though Binay ran under the opposition in 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed him head of the government’s Housing and Urban Development and Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on the overseas Filipino workers.

Casiple said this created confusion whether the vice president was an ally of the opposition or the administration.

“That’s why with the resignation of Vice President Binay, the opposition now has a leader,” Casiple said in Filipino, adding that his resignation cleared the confusion among the public.

During the last five years, the opposition fell into “disorder” and was “weakened” after some of its members were embroiled in massive corruption allegations, the analyst said.

“Talaga namang humina ang oposisyon through the last five years, ‘di ba may mga hinuli, may pinakulong, at walang leader na makapag-lead sa oposisyon,” he said.

He said the irrevocable resignation of Binay was fueled by the fact that he was not defended by President Aquino amid the attacks and alleged black propaganda against the vice president.

“May sama ng loob talaga yan dahil bakit di siya dinepensahan ng pangulo kasi considering din na kapamilya siya,” he said.

Binay on Wednesday slammed the Aquino administration calling the government “manhid (uncaring)” and “palpak (blundering).”

READ: Binay calls Aquino admin ‘uncaring,’ ‘blundering’ | Binay: Aquino government ‘palpak’

During a speech on Wednesday, the vice president said he would now lead the opposition and vowed that he would not quit his presidential ambition in 2016 amid corruption allegations hurled against him.

But Aquino on Thursday said he did everything to help Binay in saving him from being a spare tire in his government.

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