Binay on lunch meeting with Escudero: We didn’t talk politics

VICE President Jejomar Binay downplayed his lunch on Sunday with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and said they did not talk about politics.

In an interview at the sidelines of the 41st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Monday, Binay said his lunch with Escudero was only limited to greeting each other because of the limited time they were together in Davao.

“Napakaiski ng panahon. Nagkasabay pa kami sa eroplano, magkahiwalay lang kami. ‘Hi’ lang, no politics,” Binay said.

He said he was in Davao City for the sixth National Scout Jamboree.

He denied that he held grudges against Escudero, who supported his 2010 vice presidential bid. Escudero also supported the tandem of Benigno Aquino III and Binay in the 2010 elections then called “Noy-Bi.”

“Hindi naman kami galit. Nagkaiwanan lang ng partido,” Binay said.

Escudero had a falling out with Binay in 2013 when Escudero was dropped from the United Nationalist Alliance’s senatorial ticket as guest candidate when he chose to appear in the sorties of the Liberal Party coalition.

Binay called Escudero his “kumpare.” Escudero was even a godparent during the marriage of his daughter Anne Binay.

“Bakit naman ako maiilang. Kumpare ko nang buo (si Escudero), ninong sa kasal ng anak kong si Anne,” Binay said when asked if it was awkward to have lunch with Escudero.

For his part, Escudero has denied that he met Binay to betray his presidential running mate Senator Grace Poe.

Escudero said he and Binay were just invited over lunch Sunday by the owner of a restaurant where they met and that they did not talk politics during their brief meeting.