Binay contradicts himself over undue DILG funding accusation—Abad

“It’s almost a joke.”

This was how Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad reacted to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s allegation that budget for housing agencies were diverted to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by his rival and presumptive Liberal Party standard-bearer Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

In a statement on Thursday, Abad said the Vice President’s claims that DILG received undue funding from President Benigno Aquino III could be easily disputed by his own statements in the past.

“What’s most galling is the fact that just last year, Binay gave effusive thanks to the President for the support that was given to the Vice President’s housing programs. Perhaps Binay doesn’t realize that by repeatedly contradicting himself, he exposes his character for what it really is,” Abad said.

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

Abad then cited an October 2014 article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, wherein Binay was quoted as saying that “[t]he government housing sector is very grateful for the support given by the President in the housing programs of the shelter agencies. These achievements would not have happened without the support of the President.”

READ: Amid trials, Binay bares successes in housing

“It’s almost a joke—and not a very funny one—when Binay keeps contradicting himself in this fashion. He’s certainly more than happy to take the credit when it benefits him. Unfortunately, however, he’s not quite as eager to be truthful or answerable to the people,” Abad added.

Citing DBM data, Abad said four housing corporations, namely the National Housing Finance Corporation, Social Housing Finance Corporation, Home Guaranty Corporation, and National Housing Authority (NHA) have received P116.3 billion from 2010 to 2015.

“Why does the Vice President insist on misleading the public, especially when the facts will so easily debunk his claims? The Aquino administration has offered consistent budgetary support to the Vice President’s housing agencies since 2010,” he said. “We do this exactly because we understand the urgent nature of providing housing services to Filipino families, especially the poorest and most marginalized.”

In a previous interview with reporters, DILG’s Roxas shrugged off Binay’s accusations, saying that the resigned housing czar should look into figures first before pointing fingers.

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

Prior to his resignation from the Aquino Cabinet, Binay was the chief of HUDCC.

Abad also criticized the Vice President for continuously attacking the Aquino administration amid the corruption allegations being hurled against him.

“The challenge of accountability is on where the Vice President continues to disappoint. To this day, he refuses to address the corruption allegations him in the proper forum, preferring instead to spread lies about the administration,” Abad said. “That’s not public service. But that’s exactly what politicking looks like.”