Lacierda-Binay word war heats up

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A WORD war between two palaces: Malacañang and the Coconut Palace, is heating up.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda lashed back at Vice President Jejomar Binay who criticized his “arrogant” and “shrill” remarks.

In a text message to reporters on Monday, Lacierda said that countering the “lies” of the Binay camp against the Aquino administration should not be treated as a personal attack.

“Tell them it’s not personal. It’s a truth campaign and the vice president cannot, with all due respect, cannot handle the truth,” Lacierda said.

He also said that Binay started his presidential campaign with lies.

“We’re addressing all the lies of the Vice President against the President ever since he started his presidential run with lies, lies and more lies,” the palace spokesperson said.

In response, Joey Salgado, the media affairs head of the Office of the Vice President, said that instead of a “truth” campaign, the Palace is engaging the Binay’s camp in a “campaign of lies.”

Salgado alleged that Lacierda is speaking for Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, the supposed administration bet in the2016 polls.

“What we have is a campaign of lies against the Vice President and the Secretary is in the thick of it, owing to his active involvement in the communications team of his real boss, Secretary Roxas. Perhaps it’s time for the good secretary to tell the truth and stop using the Office of the President to obscure his involvement in the Roxas campaign,” he said.

Lacierda is identified with the “Balay” group which supported the candidacy of President Benigno Aquino III and Roxas in the 2010 elections.

Salgado reiterated that taking pot-shots against the vice president do not hide the truth that Lacierda allegedly failed to defend the administration from Binay’s tirades.

“The truth hurts, Mr. Secretary. But you need to face these issues and answer to the people,” he said.

Binay repeatedly attacked the Aquino administration, calling it “manhid” and “palpak” (insensitive and bumbling).

“Until now, Secretary Lacierda has failed to make a decently coherent reply to the issues raised by the Vice President, particularly the lack of jobs despite economic growth,” Salgado earlier said in a statement.

Salgado also hit Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for the alleged irregularities in the MRT, which transpired during his stint as transportation secretary.

The spokesperson from the Binay camp said that the “abrasive” attacks from the administration showed that they were panicking because of the surging trust and satisfaction ratings of the vice president.

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