Aquino takes swipe at Binay’s ‘palpak’ comment in last Sona

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday criticized Vice President Jejomar Binay’s allegations that his administration is “manhid” (insensitive) and “palpak” (bumbling) in his last State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Speaking before lawmakers and other government officials at the House of Representatives, Aquino cited the coverage of the PhilHealth under his term targeting the poorest of the poor.

He said the performance of the PhilHealth under his term is proof that his administration is far from being “manhid” and “palpak.”

READ: Binay: Aquino government ‘palpak’

“’Pag kabilang ka sa pamilyang na pinakamahirap na 20 percent ng ating populasyon, siguradong wala kang babayaran. Ibig sabihin, para sa mas pinakamahirap na 40 percent, libre magpagamot sa pampublikong ospital,” Aquino said.

(If you belong to the poorest families, which is 20 percent of our population, it is guaranteed that you will not pay for anything. It means that for 40 percent of the poorest people, medication is free in government hospitals.)

“Ito ang kalingang tinatawag ng iba na palpak at manhid. Sabi nga ni Aiza Seguerra, I thank you, bow,” he added.

(This is the concern others have dismissed as bumbling and insensitive. As Aiza Seguerra used to say, “I thank you, bow.)

After resigning from the Cabinet, Binay has openly criticized the Aquino administration. IDL