Malacañang says it is not questioning VP’s use of Coconut Palace

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER PHOTO

Malacañang on Saturday said it was not questioning the stay of Vice President Jejomar Binay in his official residence at Coconut Palace.

“It was respected in that every possible means was found, particularly if at the behest of the Vice President in order to be of service to the people, to give him every opportunity, dignity and convenience, to be useful,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

Lacierda issued the statement after the camp of Binay accused the Aquino administration of raising the “petty” issue of Binay’s use of Coconut Palace.

On Friday, Lacierda criticized Binay for depicting himself as an underdog when he uses Coconut Palace as an official residence.

But Joey Salgado, Binay’s spokesperson, said the Vice President “did not beg for supposed favors or alms” from President Benigno Aquino III, citing he only wanted an office for the Vice President befitting the second highest official of the land.

READ: ‘Binay’s use of Coconut Palace not the issue’

“If today the Vice President’s spokesmen feel compelled to justify their principal or his actions or even motivations, that is their right—but irrelevant as to the opportunities the Vice President was given to be part of the solution and not part of the nation’s problems,” Lacierda said.

The word war continues between Binay and the Aquino administration after the Vice President tendered his irrevocable resignation from the Cabinet and issued a scathing speech to the government a few days later.

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