Palace unfazed by Binay-Estrada coalition

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay and deposed President Joseph Estrada’s United Nationalist Alliance isn’t a political threat, according to President Aquino’s spokesperson.

Secretary Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday indicated Binay still follows the policies set by the Chief Executive despite the difference in political party affiliation.

‘”I don’t think so,” replied Lacierda when asked if the administration is threatened by Binay and Estrada’s coalition coming up with a common senatorial slate in the 2013 midterm elections.

When asked by reporters if the administration already considers Binay an oppositionist, Lacierda said:  “The President is the chief policy maker so everybody follows the policies issued by (him).”

“Right now, there is no difference between the President and the Vice President. And, by the way, from the very start, we all know that President Aquino is from the Liberal Party and Vice President Binay is from PDP-Laban,” Lacierda said.

And that should not and it has not gotten in the way of governance so far,” he added.