Administration hit for ‘harassing’ Binay’s people in gov’t posts

The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday stepped up its attacks on the Aquino administration, admonishing Malacañang for “joining the inquisition” when it supported calls of its allies for the resignation of housing officials identified with Binay.

Sen. Nancy Binay joined the fray, accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of double a standard claiming the DOJ was slow to act on the request of a whistle-blower to be a state witness in connection with an allegedly anomalous helicopter deal, but quick to provide privileges to her father’s accuser, former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado.

In a statement, Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said the Vice President was “saddened” by the Malacañang statement calling for the resignation of government housing officials who were appointed by President Aquino upon

Binay’s recommendation.

“The heads of housing agencies are presidential appointees. Some of the board members have fixed terms of office while some are coterminous with the President,” Salgado said. He noted that Binay had recommended these people based on their qualifications and willingness to serve in government.

The Palace supported calls by its allies for officials of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), which Binay used to chair until his resignation last week, to also quit.

Among these officials are Home Guaranty Corp. president Manuel Sanchez, Pag-Ibig Fund president Darlene Marie Berberabe, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. president Felixberto Bustos Jr., Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board chief executive officer Antonio M. Bernardo and HUDCC consultant Chit Borromeo.

Sen. Francis Escudero, in a radio program Sunday, said government housing officials recommended by Binay should tender their courtesy resignations to give the new HUDCC chair a free hand to choose his own people.

In a text message to the Inquirer, Escudero said only those officials who were coterminous with Binay should resign.–With Gil Cabacungan