Aquino rallies allies, ‘responsible’ opposition behind reform agenda sans Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay and President Benigno Aquino III. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Friday rallied his allies and the “responsible opposition” to stand with him and be bound “not by personalities, not by the color of their campaign vests, not by slogans but by principles”.

In a speech in Filipino in Malacanang before his Cabinet and other government officials for the reform agenda setting of his last two years in office, Aquino said:

“We have one stand. We are bound by our dreams for the country. There is no tactical alliance. We share the same ideals. And we don’t believe that good governance is simply a politics of addition – that even if we don’t share the same principles, if it means promoting your interests then you will count yourself as an ally,” Aquino said.

Aquino urged his allies and “responsible” critics to unite behind his reform agenda.

“To our allies here, there are a lot of you who have dedicated your careers to implementing reforms. All of us – those who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me in the Executive, allies in Congress, including the responsible opposition, partymates, members of the coalition, allies in civil society – are bound not by personalities, not by the color of our campaign vests, not by slogans – but by principles,” he said.

Aquino also cited the achievements of his administration:

* the arrests of high-profile fugitives like retired Major General Jovito Palparan;

* the recently signed peace agreement between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF);

* the construction of additional classrooms to arrest the shortage;

* various infrastructure projects: and

* producing graduates of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, among others.

But Aquino did not spare his critics, saying they have been fielding candidates who will not participate in his reform agenda and are also opposed to the achievements of his administration.

Vice President Jejomar Binay of the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance has announced his plans to run for president in 2016.

Binay, who has been in hot water for alleged corruption, was noticeably absent from the Palace meeting.

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