Office of the Vice President Media Affairs head Joey Salgado (left) and Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda (right.) PHOTOS FROM SALGADO’S TWITTER ACCOUNT AND KRISTINE ANGELI SABILLO/INQUIRER.net
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Edwin Lacierda lashed back at the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s media affairs head, saying that they should not shoot the messenger.
In a statement sent to reporters, Lacierda slammed Binay’s media affairs head Joey Salgado for reacting to his post on his personal Facebook account.
“Why should I react to their press release? I choose to post in my FB what I deem is best. Two things are apparent: one, they are so desperate they will even respond to a FB post, but let me say to VP Binay, thank you for the attention but seriously, you don’t have to. Second, VP Binay, one cardinal rule, don’t shoot the messenger,” Lacierda said.
He said that his official statements come from the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson.
“Halatang pikon na po kayo. (It is evident that you are being touchy.) It is my personal account. How can one interpret it other than that? My official statements are issued by OPS,” he added.
Lacierda issued the statement after Salgado released a lengthy statement reacting to the former’s Facebook post slamming Binay for his “dictator” tag against the Aquino administration.
Salgado said that the presidential spokesperson is being a hypocrite for attacking Binay for suggesting the lifting of the presidential term limit when in fact the administration has entertained the same idea last year.
“No term extension for the President? The administration has time and again toyed with the idea of term extension. No less than the President floated the idea of another term, seconded immediately by Secretary Roxas. They only backpedaled when the idea met universal rebuke,” Salgado said.
Binay’s camp alleged that the Aquino administration is advocating for a 20-year dictatorship in the country.
When asked for comment on Salgado’s statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that Filipinos will opt to choose candidates who will continue the administration’s “straight path” policy.
“Our Bosses are facing the future with optimism rather than despair. They have experienced the benefits of good governance and have reposed their trust in a leader who has made it possible for them to dream again. They will certainly choose to continue Daang Matuwid rather than cast their lot with those sowing fear and hatred,” he said.
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