Binay did not promise they would not steal from gov’t—Chiz

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER.net PHOTO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero found something lacking from Vice President Jejomar Binay’s speech where he attacked the Aquino government: He never promised that he would not steal public funds.

“Sa dami ng sinabi nya. Wala syang sinabi na hindi sya o sila magnanakaw,” (He said a lot of things. He did not say that he, or they, would not steal) Escudero said, referring to Binay’s speech during the launching of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) as a political party.

“Wala syang binanggit ni isang salita ukol sa ‘tuwid na daan’ at sa pagtiyak na gagalangin at papangalagaan nila ang kaban ng bayan,” (He never said anything about the ‘straight path’ or made any assurance that they would respect and protect the government coffers) the senator added.

Escudero then asked: “Paano nila gagawin ang lahat ng sinabi niyang plataporma kung hindi naman makakarating sa ating mga kababayan ang pera na dapat ay para sa kanila at hindi sa bulsa ng tiwali?” (How could they deliver what they said on their platform if funds for our countrymen would not reach them and not get into the pockets of the corrupt.)

In his speech, Binay criticized the Aquino administration for not doing enough to benefit Filipinos.

“After five years, so many are still without jobs, hungry, ill and with no one to turn to, youths who cannot go to school, rampant crime and illegal drugs in the community. Poverty is widespread,” Binay said.

“The nation asks: ‘Where is the government?’” the Vice President continued.

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Reacting to Binay’s question thrown at the Aquino administration, Escudero said: “Ngayon lang ba nawala ng gobyerno nung umalis sya? Nung nandun sya, pano?” (Did the government only become absent when he left? What about when he was still part of it?)

Binay was part of the Aquino government for five years as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on OFW concers.

Malacañang criticized the vice president for being “silent” during his stay in the Cabinet of President Benigno Aquino III, saying Binay should have spoken up if he had seen something wrong. He never did.