The spokesperson for Vice President Jejomar Binay hit back at Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas for claiming the opposition bet is an expert on graft and corruption.
In a statement Friday, Atty. Rico Quicho said Roxas does not respect the rule of law in making a statement about Binay’s supposed expertise in corruption.
Binay is under graft indictment by the Ombudsman for the alleged rigging and overprice of the Makati Parking Building II.
“This is something that is lost to Sec. Roxas and the LP administration, who do not respect the rule of law and twists the law to advance their narrow and selfish political agenda.” Quicho said.
On Thursday, Roxas said Binay seemed to be using his personal experience when the latter explained the difference between graft and corruption at a student forum in Dumaguete City.
READ: Roxas says Binay ‘an expert’ on graft, corruption
During the said forum Tuesday, Binay said that graft was the abusive use of power while corruption was about mishandling money.
“It’s a good thing that he (Binay) explained the difference between graft and corruption because he is an expert on it. He probably has personal experience on it that’s why he knows the difference,” Roxas said.
Binay’s camp said Binay was only speaking as a lawyer in explaining corruption.
“The Vice President was speaking as a lawyer. The difference between graft and corruption is something clear to lawyers and those who understand and respect the law,” Quicho said.
The administration bet said he would make it his platform to go against corrupt officials.
“I’m not trying to single out anybody but I do consider it my personal business not to allow individuals to steal the people’s money,” Roxas said.
Quicho said Roxas should instead address allegations from Binay’s camp that the former Interior and Transportation secretary failed to ease traffic and curb criminality during his term in the Cabinet.
“Its expertise is in ruining independent institutions and misusing the law against political enemies… (The administration) is not an expert in improving the lives of 99% of Filipinos,” Quicho said.
READ: Ombudsman finds probable cause to charge VP Binay with graft
Binay was indicted for graft by the Ombudsman for allegedly rigging the procurement for the design and construction of the P2.28-billion Makati City Hall Building II, deemed the country’s priciest car park building, when he was Makati mayor.
Binay also faces four other plunder and graft complaints before the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalies involving the Makati Science High School Building, University of Makati, a Fort Bonifacio property, and over an allegedly anomalous land deal between Alphaland and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, where Binay is long-running President.
Binay decried political harassment by his detractors who intend to derail his presidential bid.
READ: Binay appeals graft indictment, says it’s meant to ruin 2016 run