Roxas to Binay: Look into data over undue DILG funding accusation

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur—Before reacting to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s allegation that the budget for housing agencies was diverted to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II burst into a laugh.

In the sidelines of DILG’s distribution of patrol jeeps to local police here on Friday, the laughing Roxas said Binay should look into figures first before accusing President Benigno Aquino III of giving him undue funding.

“Siguro mas maganda tingnan niya na lang ‘yung mga datos na kung saan ay mahigit P10 bilyon ang binigay sa NHA (National Housing Authority) na kinabibilangan ng HUDCC (Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council),” Roxas said in an interview with reporters.

READ: Binay accuses Aquino of giving Roxas’ DILG undue funding

“Ang mahalaga dito, bakit limang taon wala tayong nadinig sa kanya?” he added.

Before resigning from the Aquino Cabinet on Monday, Binay was the former chief of HUDCC and presidential adviser on OFW affairs.

Responding to President Aquino’s statement that he gave Binay opportunities to prevent him from being a “spare tire,” the Vice President on Friday said he returned the favor by serving him.

But the resigned housing czar accused Aquino of diverting funds supposedly for housing agencies to the DILG.

“Ganyan ang nangyayari sa pamahalaan ngayon. Pulitika ang nagdidikta kung sino ang bibiyayaan ng mas malaking budget, lalung lalo na ‘yong kanilang mga kakandidato,” Binay said in reference to Roxas, the presumptive standard bearer of the ruling Liberal Party. AU